Organization Uses Running to Inspire and Motivate Girls

Girls on the Run (GOTR)  is a non profit organization that is run through the YMCA, which uses running to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment.

Head Coach Jennifer VanHowe recently submitted information about the group in the Patch Volunteer Spotlight.

Here are her answers.

What does your group do for the community?

GOTR is a non profit organization that is run through the YMCA. Our school Long Meadow Elementary was the first school in Rochester Hills to start the program. I have been coaching girls 3rd-5th grade for seven seasons. This organization is creates a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.

Meeting twice a week in small teams of 8-20 girls, we teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The 24-lesson curriculum is taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches and includes three parts: understanding ourselves, valuing relationships and teamwork and understanding how we connect with and shape the world at large.

Running is used to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness, and build confidence through accomplishment. Important social, psychological, and physical skills and abilities are developed and reinforced throughout the program. At each season's conclusion, the girls and their running buddies complete a 5k running event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. The result—making the seemingly impossible, possible, and teaching girls that they can.

What's a fact about your group/volunteer that most people wouldn't know?

Every Spring/Fall as part of the curriculum the girls participate in a community service project. The Fall 2013 Team at Long Meadow participated in helping our school's current fundraiser Long Meadow Saving For SmartBoards. The girls collected pledges for their Mock 5K and also collected unwanted cell phones. We were fortunate enough to have two teams this season (25 girls). With their amazing efforts they were able to donate over $400 to LMSFSB!

How can people help your cause?

GOTR is always looking for donations to help a girls participate in the program. Donation of new running shoes, a financial donation to allow more girls to participate, becoming a GOTR sponsor or helping local elementary schools with their community service projects!

When was the group founded?
1996

Contact Information:

Email: jen vanhowe at jvanhowe@hotmail.com

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