CIRCLEVILLE, OH — A group of young men at the Circleville youth facility are literally running toward a better future through a new initiative called the Chasing Change Running Club — a program designed to promote growth, motivation, and positive decision-making through fitness.
Formed in August, the club includes seventeen young men who meet several times a week to train, run, and reflect. But it’s about much more than logging miles. Each session also includes guided discussions led by behavioral health and recreational staff, focusing on treatment principles that help the participants build confidence, set goals, and develop personal responsibility.
The Chasing Change program uses running as a metaphor for perseverance and progress, encouraging participants to take steps — both literally and figuratively — toward positive life change.
After weeks of preparation, the group put their training to the test by competing in their first 5K race this week. The program’s early success has already prompted plans to expand participation to more youth later this month.
Facility leaders say the initiative is a powerful example of teamwork across departments, thanking those in behavioral health, recreation, operations, and administration for supporting innovative approaches that help young people find purpose and connection.
