This coming April, a group of ten dedicated runners will be lacing up their sneakers to tackle the 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America as members of Team NECC. These runners come from diverse backgrounds but are united by a common purpose: to raise critical funds and awareness for autism and The New England Center for Children (NECC). Representing NECC’s mission to make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism, these runners will bring their passion, determination, and personal stories to this incredible journey of fundraising and training for the next several months as they prepare to conquer the 26.2 miles on April 21, 2025.
Lashawnda Bland, a Wilmington, MA, resident, is running to educate others and for her young son, Gabriel, who has autism. Since her son’s diagnosis four years ago, he’s made strong advancements in his speech and communication skills, thanks to the resources available to them. As she looks to achieve her own personal milestone of running the Boston Marathon, Lashawnda is raising awareness for autism education and research as a member of Team NECC. “Parenting does not come with a handbook, and you do the best you can with the knowledge you have,” she shared. “Training and education are how we change how [autism spectrum disorder] is viewed and perceived.”
Cristina Busu, Frisco, TX, resident and founder and CEO of Help Hope Solutions, has been working in the applied behavior analysis (ABA) field for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, she has seen the impact good professionals can have on the lives of those affected by autism and their families and has made it her mission to educate families, communities, and professionals about best practices in the field of autism education. While resources for individuals with autism are severely lacking in Texas, Cristina hopes that by raising money for an organization like NECC that might change in the future. She is looking forward to representing Team NECC in the Boston Marathon because the mission “aligns with every value I believe in.”
Amit Chawla is an NECC parent from Lexington, MA. His son, Ishaan, has attended NECC’s residential program since 2017. Amit began running when his son left for NECC and is now an avid runner, completing a number of half marathons and 5Ks. Amit is training for his first Boston Marathon and raising funds for the school that has profoundly supported his son. He shared that NECC “has become our cornerstone of hope and progress” and a place where his son “feels understood and embraced. The love and dedication shown by the educators and staff have been nothing short of life-changing for us.”
Mary Feldmann, a San Diego native currently living in Boston, is excited to raise funds to support additional resources for educators, researchers, and NECC students. As a Boston College alumna, Mary is “no stranger to the overwhelming spirit and strength displayed at Mile 21,” where she has watched runners pass each April. She first learned about NECC while studying elementary education at BC. Although her career path ultimately took a different direction, Mary “has seen firsthand the value of quality educators who strive for an ethic of care in their classrooms” during her practicum as a student teacher and through her former peers’ teaching philosophies today. Mary shared that running for Team NECC is both an honor and a privilege, and “is proud to contribute to the vital work of NECC in creating an environment where students feel welcomed, safe, and valued as they pursue personal success, greater independence, and fulfilling lives.”
Bobby Grant, of Westminster, MA, began his career at NECC with an internship that evolved into a full-time position after he graduated from Endicott College. He worked as a teacher in the residential and day school programs for six years, which is where he met his wife, Amy, who continues to work in NECC’s Public School Services program. Bobby, who now oversees a group of BCBAs in his position at BCI and serves as an adjunct professor at Bay Path University, is looking forward to achieving his personal goal of running the Boston Marathon while also supporting NECC. “NECC is a world-class organization that not only provides excellent support and education for both its students and employees,” he shared. “I am extremely grateful to have worked for NECC and strongly feel that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my experience there.”
Prem Itharat, of Stamford, CT, is running for his oldest son, who has autism. Thanks to early intervention and services he received through school, he is now a fully functioning 17-year-old. Prem, who began running just a few years ago, is hoping to raise funds and awareness for autism resources by running the Boston Marathon with Team NECC, as he knows not everyone has access to the crucial resources needed for their children. Boston is the final stop on his journey of completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors, having previously run Berlin, London, Tokyo, Chicago, and New York.
Charlotte Mann, of West Hartford, CT, began her career at NECC and now works as a professor of ABA at the University of St. Joseph’s. Charlotte, who worked at NECC from 2008-13 and completed her PhD as a fellow in the Western New England University (WNEU)/NECC program, said that NECC was “the place where my education and love for ABA began,” and knows “firsthand the amazing work that happens there, and how lives are changed because of it.” She is running the Boston Marathon for Team NECC because she wants to give back to a place that has given her so much.
Lauren (Rae) Torff, of Watertown, MA, has worked at NECC for more than seven years. She joined NECC after graduating from UMass Amherst in 2017 and worked in a direct-care position for more than six years. During her time at NECC, she earned her master’s degree in ABA from WNEU and her BCBA certification. She recently moved to NECC’s professional development office where she can continue her passion by onboarding and mentoring new staff and graduate students who are just starting their careers in the field. Though she’s never run a marathon, Lauren shared that “the students at NECC have taught me firsthand that perseverance and dedication can help you achieve your goals. I believe that running the marathon is another way of giving back to NECC, an agency that has provided me with such ample opportunities for both professional and personal growth.”
Emily Walden has worked as a level 2 teacher in NECC’s residential program for more than two years. After running the Falmouth Road Race for Team NECC in August, Emily felt an overwhelming sense of pride in representing NECC. As a teacher, she has seen firsthand the impact that NECC has on the lives of individuals with autism and their families and is looking to give back to the organization that has supported her personal and professional growth. She couldn’t think of a better way to combine her love for running and her students than by running the Boston Marathon and raising money for NECC.
Nathan Weinberger, a resident of Cambridge, MA, has been a fan of NECC since his aunt was a student here more than 40 years ago. Nathan shared that his grandparents “were so happy with the quality of the education and community” that they remained involved with NECC over the rest of their lives, including serving on the board. Nathan, who has memories of helping his grandfather organize board minutes before meetings, is looking forward to representing Team NECC at the Boston Marathon.