Running to End Poverty

Hi! My name is Ishan, and I’m an 11th-grader from San Francisco. Next week, I’ll be running to help end poverty in California. Did you know that in 2021, California's poverty rate climbed to 13.2%? That’s significantly higher than the national rate of 9.8%. To raise awareness and inspire action, I will run 13.2 miles each day next weekend—one mile for every percentage point of California’s poverty rate.

My run is dedicated to highlighting organizations in the Bay Area that are committed to ending poverty in our community. In partnership with Golden State Opportunity, I’ve identified four organizations that connect people with essential tools to build financial stability and thrive.

As of early 2023, about 5 million Californians lived below the California Poverty Measure (CPM) line, which averages just $39,900 annually for a family of four. This is far less than what it really takes to live in our state—that's not okay!

Running has allowed me to explore every corner of my city, revealing both its beauty and its challenges. It has transformed my own life, and now I’m using it to help transform the lives of others. I would be incredibly grateful for your support. My goal is to raise $2,640 to fight poverty—that's $100 for every mile I run. 100% of donations will go directly to Golden State Opportunity to support their work in California.