Girls on the Run Central Virginia and Blue Ridge
| Address |
1713 12th Street Lynchburg, Virginia 24501 |
| Phone | (434) 528-3767 |
| Website | https://www.girlsontheruncenva.org/ |
| Primary Contact | Mary Hansen |
| Primary Email | girlsontheruncenva@verizon.net |
| Executive Director | Mary Hansen |
| Primary Focus Area | Children/Youth (non-education) |
| Service Areas |
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Mission Statement
We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
Overview
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development program (PA-PYD) designed to develop and enhance girls’ social, psychological, and physical competencies to successfully navigate life experiences. Over the course of the program girls will, develop and improve competence, feel confidence in who they are, develop strength of character, respond to others and oneself with care and compassion, create positive connections with peers and adults, and make a meaningful contribution to community and society. Such life skills will prevent unhealthy and risky behaviors, such as physical inactivity and negative body image, and promote positive health outcomes (e.g., physical, mental, social, and spiritual health).
We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
We strive to:
• Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision making
• Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness
• Express joy, optimism and gratitude through our words, thoughts and actions
• Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health
• Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent
• stand up for ourselves and others
Key Programs
| Program 1 | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Girls on the Run |
| Description: | Over a period of 10 weeks, girls in the 3rd through 5th grade participate in an after-school program like no other. Designed to allow every girl to recognize her inner strength, the Girls on the Run curriculum inspires girls to define their lives on their own terms. Throughout the season, the girls make new friends, build their confidence and celebrate all that makes them unique. The Girls on the Run lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. We start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what’s important to them. Then, we look at the importance of team work and healthy relationships. And, finally, the girls explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world. Physical activity is woven into our program to inspire an appreciation of fitness and to build habits that lead to a lifetime of health. At the end of each three month session, the girls participate in a Girls on the Run 5k event. This celebratory, non-competitive event is the culminating experience of the curriculum. Completing the 5k gives the girls a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Crossing the finish line is a defining moment when the girls realize that even the seemingly impossible IS possible. |
| Program 2 | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Heart & Sole |
| Description: | Heart & Sole is Girls on the Run’s new program for middle school girls! Heart & Sole creates a positive, structured space for middle school girls to learn about themselves, explore new ideas, cultivate empathy, strengthen connections and develop life skills that will help them as they move through adolescence and beyond. The Heart & Sole curriculum is rich with themes girls can relate to, addressing the whole girl—body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection—and building important life skills such as team building, developing a support system, boundary setting, decision making, asking for and providing help and more. This 10-week program is accessible to all girls regardless of athletic ability or fitness level and considers the range of ages and varied experiences of middle schoolers. Physical activity includes strength and conditioning appropriate for this age group. The season culminates with the Girls on the Run 5k, which is the celebratory event that underscores the confidence, competence, connection, character and caring they’ve been developing in the program and gives them a tangible sense of goal setting and achievement. |
| Examples of Program Success: | "Girls on the Run could make any girl fearless, because when you're surrounded by people you trust, respect and care for, nothing can hold you back from being the most beautiful person you have grown to be." – Josie, Grade 6 |
| Program 3 |
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Giving Opportunities
| Opportunity 1 | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Girls on the Run of Central Virginia |
| Description: | Girls on the Run is a fee-based program that uses a sliding scale based on family income so that any girl wishing to participate can. Your donation will inspire girls to activate their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams. |
| Project Timeline | Ongoing |
| Opportunity 2 | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Board of Directors |
| Description: | Girls on the Run is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. We value the dignity and humanity of all people and are dedicated to being an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible organization. Our organization is currently seeking volunteers to serve on our Board of Directors. Because we serve girls from a wide variety of life experience and backgrounds, it is important to us that our Board of Directors reflects our whole community, therefore we are seeking representation from all parts of our community. Interested individuals are not required to have any previous board experience. There are no specific educational or professional requirements to join. The goal of this interest form is to start a conversation with you and learn more about how we can partner together in this work. Complete our interest form at: https://www.pinwheel.us/siteapplication/signup/GOTR-CVABR-Board-Interest-FY24. |
| Opportunity 3 |
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| Opportunity 4 |
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