News  Chicopee District Court Program keeps Probation clients and staff “On Track for Change”

Chicopee District Court Probation and court staff have joined with probationers as part of the On Track for Change Program, a running program, during which they participated in training and preparation to run in road races, ultimately completing a local 5K race.

This first-time program at the court was a huge success, according to Chicopee District Chief Probation Officer Stephen P. Ashe. Clients James Yates and Fabian Martinez participated in the program and completed the 5K.

Judge Sanabria-Vega said the group ran in the Fleet Feet 5K in Longmeadow on Global Running Day, June 4th. Chicopee District is now beginning to recruit clients for a fall session of On Track for Change. 

“I know the probationers loved participating and their wives also joined us for the training and ran on race day.  It was great to work with all of them,” said Chicopee District Probation Officer Stephen Ashe.

“It was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. We were also privileged to have running coaches that helped us along the way,” added Assistant Chief Anthony Mogavero.

In preparation for the 5K, the running group trained together at a local park once a week. Participating clients are required to complete two more runs each week. Judge Sanabria-Vega said she is planning to offer  “On Track for Change” each season. The recent group that completed the 5K were participants in the Spring program. Judge Sanabria-Vega said she was inspired by California Judge Craig Mitchell, a speaker at the District Court Judges' Conference in 2023. Judge Mitchell, an avid runner, started the Skid Row Running Club at the Midnight Mission homeless shelter on Skid Row in Los Angeles in 2012.