As a coach, I was onsite with a group of 14 girls two days a week. The program lessons are very well organized making it easy to become a coach to the girls. The girls learned about themselves, others and the impact they can have on the world in the context of running (or any physical activity). This is the best volunteer experience I have had in years - as a runner and a woman it is great to see the impact this program had on our group.
GIrls on the Run is a great organization! I have volunteered at several of their races and look forward to helping in the future. I love seeing the young girls so inspired and proud and doing their best. The beaming smiles on their faces are amazing! This organization truly supports girls to be confident and strong. The staff and volunteers care about every girl, which is so evident when you're around them. The races are well organized and tons of fun!
I've been involved with Girls on the Run for the past 5 years -- first as a coach, then a committee volunteer, a Running Buddy, and now I'm entering my 3rd year on the Board of Directors. I can say without a doubt that it's one of the most amazing organizations I've come across. It initially resonated with me because it's a perfect combination of a sport I love with a cause I'm passionate about --empowering young girls. And it truly does just that. There is nothing like watching the girls cross the finish line of the 5K that they've trained for all season with pride, joy, and an amazing sense of accomplishment. As the media continues to push destructive messages of girls self worth being tied up in appearance, Girls on the Run is a wonderful antedote.
Girls on the Run Puget Sound is a wonderful organization that makes a significant impact in the lives of young girls. I served as a running buddy before joining the board and it was one of the best volunteer experiences I've ever had! It was so rewarding to see my running budding finish her very first 5k. That is quite an accomplishment for someone that young. After being a running buddy I knew I wanted to be more involved with Girls on the Run Puget Sound and joined the board. I really enjoy working with a dedicated executive director and other board members who want to ensure the suceess of such a fantastic program. I would encourage anyone with an interest in making a difference in a young women's life to get involved!
Running has always been such a great thing in my life, contributing to my emotional health, and giving me the opportunity to feel great about myself. So when I heard that there was an organization that taught 4th and 5th grade girls to value themselves through a series of workshops and a 5K race, I said "sign me up!" I had such a wonderful experience being a running buddy to my marvelous 4th grader. I think that no matter how wonderful a child's parents, they need role models of all sorts, and at GOTR, they get a slew of them in the form of coaches, running buddies, and other volunteers. Girls are up against a lot these days: media portrayal of women; pay inequality; workplace discrimination. It's great that these girls get to start out with a base understanding of how valuable they are, for all of their abilities, not just what society seems to value in them.
Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is an incredible organization providing hundreds of girls each year opportunities to learn lifelong skills such as self-esteem, confidence building, healthy habits, and goal setting all within a dynamic and energized curriculum focused on getting outside and getting moving!
I first got involved in Girls on the Run of Puget Sound when a friend was organizing a team for the end-of-season 5K. After seeing what a phenomenal organization this was, I participated in the 5K a few more seasons, then began volunteering at the 5K events, then took on the role as a volunteer Coach, facilitating Girls on the Run curriculum with two other coaches twice a week for 11 weeks. I've also volunteered at their auction.
Throughout the few years I've worked with the staff at Girls on the Run of Puget Sound, I've found them to be one of the most organized nonprofit groups out there. Their volunteer support is amazing (especially with such a small staff!) and their enthusiasm for their mission is inspiring!
I first became involved with Girls on the Run after reading about the organization on Facebook. A lot of my friends had heard about this group and were talking about the wonderful opportunities that were available in the community. When I went to the website I saw all of the different volunteer opportunities and I felt really compelled by the mission to not only help girls be active, but to teach them self-respect and core community values. I started volunteering with the 5K but I can see how this group offers a lot of different volunteer opportunities and I want to try them all!
I've been involved with GOTR as a 5K Race volunteer and a running buddy (each girl gets a buddy to run with in the 5K event that completes the season's program). It's a great organization and one that I think is especially salient today, with so many kids developing poor health habits. As a volunteer, one of the greatest aspects is actually getting to interact with the girls in the program and see their enthusiasm.
I had the extreme pleasure of coaching for Girls on the Run of Puget Sound this spring. We teach 3rd to 5th grade girls about self esteem, friendships, teamwork, how to stop bullying issues, and many other wonderful things to help them grow into confident and secure people.
Interspersed with our coaching, we encourage non-competitive exercises like running, walking, skipping, tag games, relays, etc. At the end of our program the girls fulfill their goal of participating in a 5K with all of the Girls on the Run girls from Schools all over the Puget Sound Area. It is an experience I will never forget to watch these girls blossom in their confidence and sense of accomplishment over the 10 weeks and to see the joy on their faces when they complete the 5K at the end of the program. It is a life changing experience for all of us involved and I encourage your support. I'll be coaching again!!!
