As an Olympic gold medal-winner runner, LaTasha Colander Clark knows a thing or two about the importance of encouragement and the role it plays in motivating people to do bigger and better things.

Noting first the fact that she’d received her talent for running from Jesus Christ, she is quick to acknowledge the people in her life who helped her achieve her dream of running for America, many of them through the encouragement they offered as she pursued her dream.

Through her LC Treasures Within Foundation, Clark — the granddaughter of Dr. Obadiah Colander, who founded Faith Temple Ministries on Wellons Street — has already established herself as someone interested in trying to give back to the community that has supported and encouraged her through the years.

With a mission of “strengthening kids, families and the world through education, sports and Christ,” the nonprofit LCTWF has, according to its website, provided college scholarships to eight different high school seniors in recent years.

With a new position in the Suffolk Corps of the Salvation Army, Clark has a new platform from which to encourage young people in fitness and faith, and she has hit the ground running, if you will.

Just weeks into her new job, she already has set out plans for a new faith-based recognition program designed to recognize those in the community — especially in the city’s school system — who are making a difference in the lives of others.

“It’s (about) people who are just ordinary but are doing extraordinary things for others,” Clark said recently. I’m hoping that something as small as love can be powerful to a country that really needs it.”

What an encouraging attitude. We’d imagine her grandfather would be very proud.