In partnership with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, SRPS’ MileUp program is the first diversion pathway that brings running and mentorship to youth facing delinquency charges who were formerly ineligible for restorative interventions. MileUp prevents long-term system involvement by holding youth accountable while helping them build skills on the way to positive achievement across all aspects of their lives. 

Following the SRPS model and with the support of youth advocate staff, volunteer mentors, and peer mentors (who are MileUp alumni and/or have had involvement with the juvenile justice system), MileUp students train to complete milestone races, earn gear along the way, receive ongoing case management and family support, and complete an end-of-season reflection based in restorative justice practices. MileUp is designed to run in 2 cohorts per year (Spring and Fall), with the goal to complete either the Broad Street Run or the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Students who complete all milestone races and reflection receive paid restitution, have their charges dropped, and record expunged. 

The goals of MileUp are to:

1. Provide youth with a positive caring adult relationship to help them succeed.
2. Help youth build skills to overcome adversity and manage stress through exercise on the way to positive achievement across all aspects of their lives.
3. Provide a restorative, strengths-based option to increase positive outcomes in youth diverted away from juvenile system involvement.
4. Build in restitution support to reduce potential debt and continued system involvement for youth and their families. 
5. Provide youth with long-term sustainable support.
6. Increase family/guardian engagement and create opportunities for youth to have positive interactions with law enforcement.