An international organization is looking to help more girls around Eastern Wisconsin.
Girls on the Run was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, by educator and Ironman triathlete Molly Barker in 1996.
She was inspired by her own childhood experiences and her work as a teacher and coach.
Tania Spofford of Girls on the Run Northeast Wisconsin tells us more about what they do.
“We are a positive youth development program which integrates physical activity and movement,” she explained. “It’s typically an after-school program, but we also have the opportunity (to) do it before school. We also have a camp option, which is a week-long program.”
Much like the Boys and Girls Club, Girls on the Run gives girls the opportunity to do some good while meeting others and experiencing personal growth.
“What it’s about is building confidence in girls character,” Spofford noted. “We have a fall season in the spring season and at the end of the (eight-week) season, they have community impact projects that the girls decide on to finalize the season.”
Thousands of girls have participated around the world, including locally. Spofford has seen firsthand how well the program works.
A rather shy young lady decided to participate in the program, but by the end, she had come out of her shell.
“That’s the thing about Girls on the Run…our coaches do a fabulous job of welcoming the girls and building that team in that community for those girls across that 8 to 10 weeks that they meet,” Spofford said.
As a matter of fact, that young lady is now a part of the coaching staff with Girls on the Run.
You can learn more about the program by tuning in to 98.9 FM, WOMT, every Friday morning at approximately 10:25 for Every Girl Can, presented by Girls on the Run of Northeast Wisconsin.
You can also visit GirlsOnTheRunNEW.org.
