There was a time when Angelic Pla couldn’t stand the thought of running. About five years ago, she pushed past that one-mile barrier that had proved to be her limit and discovered something new about herself.

Today, she’s running four or five times a week in preparation for the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon. When she takes those first strides across Verrazano Bridge, from Staten Island to Brooklyn, she’ll have the entire Children’s Aid family rooting for her.

A cousin invited Angelic, 26, to a volunteer reading promotion event at Dunlevy Milbank Center in Harlem, and she liked what she saw. She joined the Associates Council this past spring. “I’m grateful for all the blessings I have,” said Angelic, who works in human resources at Columbia University. “Not everyone has the same opportunities, so working with kids for Children’s Aid is my way of trying to make sure all kids get a fair shot.”

As if training for a marathon isn’t hard enough, Angelic has committed to raising $3,500 for Children’s Aid. She’s going to be seeking out support from the same people she expects to cheer her on the streets.

For now, though, her next challenge is running 18 miles this weekend, the next step in her quest. Best of luck, Angelic.