NCO to host Spring Ahead run in Naperville

Each weekend, thousands of people take to the streets of our communities, walking and running to raise money for charities.

Every one of them has found a cause to believe in, a bit of hope through helping. And every one of them has a reason for being there.

Hundreds of runners and wheelchair athletes will hit the streets of north Naperville Sunday, April 17, for NCO’s Spring Ahead event. Their run will take them on side roads, thoroughfares and — for the most dedicated — onto the trails of the McDowell Grove Forest Preserve.

The route offers a rare off-road 10K challenge for runners. And by participating in the Spring Ahead run, the athletes support NCO Youth and Family Services’ efforts to help young people in DuPage and Kane counties face — and overcome — life’s challenges.

NCO, based in Naperville, offers a range of counseling, prevention education and housing programs. Some, like the Operation Snowball, Snowflake and Snowflurry programs, and the Achieving Confidence, Encouraging Success workshops seek to arm students with the strength and esteem they need to make healthy life decisions.

Crisis and counseling programs help teens work through and emerge from problems stemming from family issues and substance abuse.

Meanwhile, the Cornerstone Group Home for Boys in Naperville provides safety and structure for 13- to 17-year-olds with family, emotional or substance problems. The boys receive education, therapy and counseling to help them become well-functioning members of their communities. NCO’s transitional housing in Kane and DuPage offer shelter and skills development to homeless young adults 18 to 21 years old.

It wasn’t NCO’s work that drew Nancy Sheridan to her first Spring Ahead run five years ago, it was the run itself — a 10K through a forest preserve.

But as Sheridan became a regular at the race and got to know the cause, she realized NCO had valuable resources for families of all kinds and experiences that would benefit children who aren’t considered “at risk.”

Today, Sheridan of Naperville describes how the Spring Ahead race helps her share her love of running and introduced her family to programs that would support her daughters as they navigate the often-difficult tween and teen years.

Well, it is spring again, and for the past five years, I have always looked forward to the NCO Spring Ahead run.

Though the weather is a little unpredictable this time of year, it is a great run to participate in. It is a well-organized race with a great turnout. There are even a lot of children who come out early to do the one-mile fun run before the 5K and 10K races start.

For the past five years, I have participated in the 10K race and I always bring along some company. Family members or friends have run with me in the past. This year, a few co-workers will join me.

What I enjoy most about the course is the miles we run through the McDowell Grove Forest Preserve. It is a peaceful and scenic part of the run, which is a good break from running on the streets. I also like the run because they put a cap on the number of (10K) participants, so it never feels overcrowded when you are running.

This will be my co-workers’ first time running this race and I told them that it is a great course to run and it supports an organization that has multiple programs meeting the needs of families and children in the area. Hopefully, this will be just the start of a spring tradition we have together.

At first, I ran the race because I enjoy 10K races and this was a good course. Now, over the past few years, NCO has become more of a significant part of my family.

My high school daughter participated in Operation Snowball this past fall with a few of her friends. She came back with a lot of positive feedback and made some positive, healthy changes in her life because of the inspiring messages and activities.

My fifth-grade daughter participated in a workshop called ACES, which helps with relationship and personal development skills. She enjoyed going every week because the leaders were very caring and enthusiastic and got to know the girls as individuals. There were relevant, fun activities planned every week that my daughter looked forward to.

This race not only offers something for every runner at every experience level, it is also a family event that, in turn, helps families in the area. As with many organizations, I am surprised by the many services and programs that NCO provides to the Naperville community.

I am glad that my family and I got to know NCO in a personal way and tap into a few of its many resources. This is a race that supports a cause that really hits “home.”

If you go

What: NCO Spring Ahead Runs

Why: Proceeds support the prevention, counseling, education and housing services of NCO Youth and Family Services

When: Kids mile run at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 17; 10K trail run at 8:15 a.m.; 5K wheelchair race at 8:25 a.m.; 5K street run at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Routes begin and end at Calamos Investments, southeast corner of Ferry Road and Route 59, Naperville

Cost: $15 for kids run; $35 for 10K; $30 for wheelchair race and 5K run

Info: <a href="http://ncospringahead.com">ncospringahead.com</a>