Team Member Highlight: Elizabeth Belcher

For the next few weeks, we'll be spotlighting our charity runners on the front page of the

FPC Marathon Charity Team blog.

Starting in alphabetical order, we're highlighting Elizabeth Belcher. Elizabeth is a social work student at Wheelock College, as well as a loving nanny for several Jamaica Plain families. Elizabeth is running the Boston Marathon for the Franklin Park Coalition especially with the hope of helping to provide healthy activities and programs for youth, in order to prevent teenage tobacco, alcohol, and substance use. "I feel very strongly that parks and recreational areas have the potential immensely enhance one’s physical, mental, and spiritual wellness."

Upon moving to Jamaica Plain in the fall of 2010, Elizabeth took up running in Franklin Park as a commitment to self-nurturing and wellness. "As soon as I moved to Jamaica Plain, I fell in love with Franklin Park. I had recently quit smoking, took time off from school, and removed myself from an unhealthy relationship and environment. Stripped of my previous vices and in the midst of significant personal growth, I was striving to find healthy outlets and habits. Franklin Park was a great asset to my continuing path of achieving inner peace."

In addition to running, her past-times include strength-training and creative expression.  A poet and self-taught pianist, Elizabeth holds a strong belief in self-empowerment through art and movement as tools for community and personal advocacy.  

To support Elizabeth's fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamelizabeth