Inside CDCR Video, Our Promise

Our Promise: Runnin’ for Rhett combines fitness, community

As the CDCR/CCHCS Our Promise campaign comes to a close, campaign Chair Sonia Mercado shares a personal story illustrating why her family supports the Runnin’ for Rhett childhood fitness program.

Mercado, who is the Special Assistant to Director Amy Miller, Division of Correctional Policy Research and Internal Oversight, was first introduced to Runnin’ for Rhett when her son, Mateo Ramirez, took part in a pilot running program in fourth grade.

Today Mateo is a fourth-year student at UC Santa Cruz, where he competes in cross country and track and field. He shares his reasons for running in this video, where he is joined by Beth Seevers, whose son Rhett inspired the nonprofit that is now in more than 70 California schools. Learn more at https://www.runninforrhett.org/.

Our Promise Chair Mercado and Co-Chair Krissi Khokhobashvili would like to thank all CDCR/CCHCS staff and nonprofit partners who shared their work during this virtual campaign. While we couldn’t be together for in-person events this year, the photos, videos, and personal stories connected us nonetheless.

While the campaign has come to a close, staff can sign up to make voluntary one-time or ongoing donations at Cal Employee Connect. All you need to support your cause is their name and Federal Tax ID. If you choose Runnin’ for Rhett, their ID is 26-1419222. Learn more at https://www.ourpromiseca.org/.

Read previous Our Promise stories.

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