{"id":8825,"date":"2021-10-30T15:50:43","date_gmt":"2021-10-30T20:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runproject.org\/?p=8825"},"modified":"2021-10-30T15:50:45","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T20:50:45","slug":"help-empower-young-runners-with-girls-on-the-run-dfw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runproject.org\/blog\/beneficiaries\/help-empower-young-runners-with-girls-on-the-run-dfw","title":{"rendered":"Help Empower Young Runners with Girls on the Run DFW"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
By: Brianna Lowry<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think back to the time when you purchased your first pair of running shoes, curious about the world of running. What color were your shoes? Who supported your decision and cheered you on? Who empowered you to take that first of what would end up being many, many steps? Now, imagine having a group of compassionate, and encouraging coaches helping you navigate those first steps. This is the solid foundation that Girls on the Run DFW (GOTR DFW) provides for young girls in our program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Girls on the Run DFW?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Girls on the Run is an after-school program for girls in third through eighth grade that inspires young girls to recognize and embrace their inner strength, potential, and worth through coach-led lessons that creatively integrate running. The program\u2019s mission focuses on empowering young girls as they explore their potential and confidently narrate their experiences using their own voice. GOTR DFW serves girls in nine counties in DFW and has helped over 10,000 girls recognize their \u201cstar power\u201d since 2004. While empowering girls is the core mission of GOTR DFW, we also help girls realize the transformative joy of running. Our lessons include running activities and games that culminate in a celebratory 5K to commemorate the girls\u2019 time with us and to highlight the lessons they learned along the way. With capes, tutus, and plenty of glitter to go around, our girls teach us a very important lesson: it\u2019s never too early, or too late, to realize you are unstoppable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
How does Girls on the Run DFW help girls?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Young girls face a variety of social pressures today\u2014whether in school, in the<\/p>\n\n\n\n
media, or from their peers. These pressures can distort their self-confidence, self-esteem, and abilities. The challenges of COVID have led to increased reliance on technology to communicate with one another. While technology was helpful, this also made room for more time to spend on social media platforms where young girls see images, messages, and interactions that may do more harm than good in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, social distancing highlighted the need for all people, and especially children, to have social connections. But social distancing and increased technology use only compounded the challenges young girls have always faced during their critical developmental ages in elementary and middle school. GOTR DFW was still able to deliver its program during COVID and in Fall 2021, we have opened our program back up to in-person learning. At these sites, GOTR DFW, coaches teach young girls ways to empower themselves using a \u201cwhole-girl\u201d approach that incorporates wellness on all levels: physically, emotionally, and socially. We target a critical stage of development so that our girls can strengthen their confidence and abilities during a time when they are most susceptible to take on societal ideals and expectations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGOTR girls\u201d learn how to treat themselves and others kindly and compassionately, practice gratitude, build a sense of community that welcomes inclusivity and diversity, how to make healthful living choices, and how to tap into their limitless potential. The lessons taught by our coaches integrate physical activity and help GOTR girls develop greater confidence and courage. While our girls learn these lessons during their time in our program, the hope is that they continue to use the knowledge they have gained and bloom into empowered young women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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