Race for ReWritten; A first of it’s kind.
On Sunday, June 12, 2022, Rewritten hosted its Inaugural 5K race, a first of its kind to shut down city blocks in historic downtown San Bernardino, Ca. It was a great encouragement to see friends, family, donors, volunteers, young people, acquaintances, emergency personnel, and locals show up. Some were there to exercise, and some were there to support a hopeful future for burdened young people. This year, Rewritten celebrates its 10 years as a nonprofit that assists young people in creating positive lives for themselves. From our beginnings in Colton, California, and now in downtown San Bernardino, we consistently focus on being a resource for fatherless and underserved young people as they revise and rewrite their futures. We’re inspired by the opportunity to serve here.
San Bernardino maintains a long and continuing history. Indigenous people, some of whom named the area, “The Valley of the Cupped Hand of God,” resided in the area for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. From the early 1800s through much of the 1900s, it was a booming area. Railway, businesses, ranchers, farmers, churches, miners, entertainers, and adventurous families came to San Bernardino because it offered promise, beauty, meaning, wealth, and interest. The city drew people from far and near who were looking for something fresh and different. As in earlier days, the natural arrowhead landmark in the local mountains can still serve to remind us that this was and is a place of significance.
In recent decades, the residents have experienced hard hits, and there are some substantial challenges–poverty, addiction, and violence have grown in some areas. Still, there is something to the people here, as reflected in the nickname, “San Bernardino Strong,” that gained traction after the tragic San Bernardino terrorist shooting in 2015. Despite its burdens, San Bernardino IS strong. People have lived, survived, and thrived here for many, manygenerations. It may be down, as they say, but it’s not out. San Bernardino’s great strength seems to be the tenacity of its people. The city may not be as robust as it once was, but it’s substantial and tough because its families and its faith are still here. Our goal is to contribute to that strength in whatever way we can. We want to be part of supporting families and young people as they grow and thrive in the days ahead.
This 5K event may look like no big deal from the outside. It’s true—it doesn’t change the prospects for challenged people in itself. However, this may be one tiny step toward restoration. We trust in God at Rewritten, and we know that God can help young people and everyone else. We’ve learned not to underestimate God’s willingness, mercy, hope, and power to bring “beauty from ashes.” Belief’s not popular at the moment–God isn’t trending right now–but that’s OK because God still is and does.
So yes, this was only one 5K, but it was also a vote for hope. We don’t pretend to know or to be the answer to everything that San Bernardino needs. We only claim that God is still sovereign everywhere and always. Where he works, justice, mercy, and hope can too. We want to be part of what God is up to, whatever that is. Maybe that will look like young people receiving scholarships and mentoring. Maybe it will be groups getting homework help. Maybe the 5K will become something more hope-producing in the future. Maybe downtown will be restored. Our co-founder, Frank Perez, says, “Good things start with hope, right?” As the arrowhead in our mountains points out, this is a place to notice, a place that matters. We really don’t know what the future of San Bernardino holds, but God does, and we’re here for it.