Why are you doing this?
I am a pretty lucky guy. Despite circumstances in my youth that could have held me back, life is good for me. I find myself in a career with an outstanding firm on Wall Street. I am healthy and prosperous. And above all, I have a wonderful mother and great friends. I am keenly aware of the fact that I did not achieve all this by myself. I had a great deal of help all along the way from people who cared and who were willing to give of themselves to others. Now it is my turn. I want to use what I have been given - my health and physical stamina, my abilities and my connectedness with others to reach out to young people and make a difference in their lives.
What are you going to do?
I will run marathons in every state over the next few years. To the extent any of the missions of the organizations at the bottom of this page resonate with you, please consider making a donation. Your support will help to keep me focused by knowing that each step that I run will help young people to help themselves.
Where will you be running?
Click here to see the marathon list
Why did you choose these specific organizations?
These programs are geared to helping young people acquire the education and the skills that will allow them to achieve their goals. They focus on teaching and training students rather than simply giving them a hand-out. The result is life-long self sufficiency rather than dependency. I know this first hand because I was helped by many of these organizations in my youth.
Who else will be there? Can we watch? Can we join your run?
My mother has been cheering me on at every race. We have visited some of the most beautiful parts of the country. There are only two races left to run - Boston in April 2012 and New York City in November 2012 - and we would love to have you join us. If you decide to run you can do so to raise money for your own favorite causes or for the causes listed below. If you want to join us for any upcoming marathons please contact me
Do you know Robert?
My name is Robert Reffkin and I currently work for a Wall Street Firm. When I was in high school, I founded the disc jockey company Rude Boy Productions and started Care Packages for the Homeless. After graduating from high school I attended Columbia University. Prior to my current position, I was employed as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, where I also led the firms community outreach program, McKinsey Cares. After receiving an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, I became an Associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Lazard Frères where I founded the firms Sponsors for Educational Opportunity professional internship program for underrepresented minorities. From 2005-2006, I was a White House Fellow serving as a special assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury. As an alumnus, I have held numerous teaching, leadership and board-level positions with the A Better Chance program, the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and Summer Search.
Organizations that Supported Me When I Was a Teenager
A Better Chance (ABC) refers students of color to the nation's finest schools for placement and financial aid. Donate to ABCThe Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) helps young people from low-income communities improve their business, academic and life skills. Donate to NFTE
Summer Search provides low-income high school students with mentoring and life-changing summer experiences. Donate to Summer Search