I have been volunteering with Girls on the Run Southern Utah since its inception and it's an AMAZING program for young girls. I have volunteer coached, helped with the 5K prep/race day, and I currently serve on the board. Every person involved with GOTRSU is intentional in their efforts to create safe spaces for these girls to practice skills like setting boundaries, working toward goals, working as a team and developing a healthy relationship with their bodies as they learn healthy habits (both physical and emotional). Girls on the Run teaches girls that they can dream big, put a plan in place, encourage other girls to join them and experience the JOY of following their passions.
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I have been volunteering with Girls on the Run Southern Utah since it began in 2014. I love this organization because the focus is on helping young girls find their own strength and empowerment through lessons that go far beyond just running. These lessons encourage girls to solve problems, confront real social challenges, learn about others, be a good friend, set healthy boundaries, use their voice and build courage and self esteem. I serve on the board and also substitute coach at any site that needs a helper, so I see girls in different settings, different teams and age groups learning and growing through this program. I sincerely believe programs like this can help these young girls grow into women who feel confident enough to chart their own course and use their voices to stand up for themselves.
I am so blessed to be a coach for Girls on the Run Southern Utah! Some of my favorite lessons are when the girls work together for a common goal. It gives me such satisfaction to see them collaborate and support each other when they are stretching to accomplish a task. I can tell by the looks on their faces that they are enjoying it too!
The skills they learned during our lessons really came to fruition during our 5K. I watched with chills and tears in my eyes as several of the girls who had finished the 5K, circled back to help teammates run the last part. Girls on the Run Southern Utah truly helps foster inclusivity and support in our young girls and I'm so proud to be a part of it!