Students Run LA’s Alumni Program

Income inequality

LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) Central LA East LA South LA San Gabriel Valley West LA San Fernando Valley Gateway Cities South Bay Antelope Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

First-generation college students face steep barriers in higher education, only 24% earn a bachelor’s degree within six years, and 43% report not feeling like they belong in college. This lack of belonging contributes to isolation, increased mental health challenges, and higher dropout rates. At SRLA, 75% of high school seniors are first-gen students. These youth also face structural barriers to wellness, including limited access to safe, consistent physical activity.
Physical activity, however, plays a powerful role in improving mental well-being. Adults who engage in the recommended 2.5 hours of moderate exercise weekly experience a 25% lower risk of depression; even half that amount brings an 18% reduction. By promoting physical activity and fostering community, programs like SRLA’s Alumni Program help bridge the support gap for first-gen students and enhance their academics and create community with running.

SRLA’s Alumni Program is a new initiative to help our students with the transition from high school to college. With 75% of SRLA seniors identifying as first-generation college students, the program fosters community among peers with shared experiences and provides continued support throughout college. By strengthening relationships among alumni, SRLA is building a network where graduates can mentor current students, share insights, and help one another succeed.
Guided by a three-year strategic plan developed with input from students, alumni, and staff, the program launches with four virtual workshops during the 2025–2026 academic year:
First Semester 101 (October 2025): Building community and navigating work-study programs
Navigating Financial Aid in Uncertain Times (December 2025): Tips for managing aid, applying for scholarships, and staying financially afloat
Mental Health Resiliency (January 2026): Alumni-led conversations with peer support and coping strategies
Summer Jobs & Internships (April 2026): Guidance on securing summer professional opportunities
Alumni will also be invited to participate in training races, mentorship, and college-based run clubs, promoting lifelong wellness and keeping them connected to SRLA.

If SRLA’s work is successful, Los Angeles County will see more first-generation students from under-resourced communities graduate from college, enter the workforce, and thrive. Most SRLA participants attend Title I schools where the majority qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and many lack access to the support needed to succeed in higher education. SRLA fosters discipline, resilience, and confidence through a community-driven model. Our new Alumni Program will extend this support beyond high school, helping students stay in college, access critical resources, and graduate prepared for careers. Research from First Gen Forward shows that college graduates are 88% more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, and are twice as likely to be civically engaged. By helping more first generation youth graduate and succeed, SRLA is creating lasting change, improving financial stability, and disrupting cycles of poverty and inactivity for families across Los Angeles County.