Grant awarded to Girls on the Run, Southern UT
The Foundation is pleased to again support , Girls on the Run, Southern UT.
Girls on the Run Southern Utah is nonprofit organization providing after-school programs in Southern Utah that serves 3rd – 8th grade girls. We offer two programs: Girls on the Run is our program for 3rd-5th grade girls and the Heart & Sole program is for 6th-8th grade girls. Both programs target age appropriate lessons and use a fun, experience-based curriculum, which creatively integrates running to teach girls important life and social skills.
The grant will serve underserved girls from Southern Utah. The program benefits girls from Title I schools, serving those populations who are at an economic disadvantage. Girls on the Run (3rd-5th grade) and Heart & Sole (6th-8th grade) programs will be offered at an affordable fee so every girl has the opportunity to experience the program.
As a physical activity-based positive youth development (PA-PYD) program designed to enhance girls’ social, psychological and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences, Girls on the Run Southern Utah fills a need that no other program in the area covers. By focusing on growing a healthier emotional IQ, Girls on the Run gives girls important problem solving strategies for their minds to digest as they complete their running activities and laps. Utilizing both mind and body, girls build connections between their emotional strength and physical strength – and they become even stronger when they build each other up and support one another. They role play scenarios designed to give them real life practice in setting and keeping boundaries, recognizing and opting out of gossiping, resolving conflicts and expressing their emotions and values. The program calls upon girls to discover their courage; to plug in their “inner positivity chord” and to stand up for something. As girls grow physically stronger, they also gain a felt experience of accomplishing small goals with their team members along the way to their larger goal of completing a 5K together. Girls on the Run programs encourage girls to use critical thinking skills, welcome diversity, and discover their courage, and show empathy and compassion for others. Many activities welcome and encourage them to use their voices in a variety of ways. They define their values, learn about acceptable ways to treat people and hear the repeated message that they are worthy of respect and kindness. These lessons are so valuable; we hope that if they face a challenge or even abuse, they have the ability to reach for these tools to empower and protect themselves. Girls on the Run never turns away any girl, so these lessons are available to all girls regardless of financial position.