Mission Statement
Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development (PYD) program that is designed to enhance girls' social, psychological and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences. The program's intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. Through curriculum Girls on the Run is dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.
Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2022 (July 2021-June 2022), Girls on the Run Minnesota was able to provide programming to 3,991 girls spanning from Grand Marais down to Stewartville, Minnesota. Out of the almost 4,000 girls, 94% of their caregivers reported that their fall/spring season was a valuable experience for their girl and 97% of the participants reported learning critical life skills. This year also saw the distribution of $272,848 of scholarship aid to help girls access life changing lessons. Along with scholarship aid, 1,180 GOTR participants also received a brand new pair of running shoes, pants, and/or a sports hijab to help eliminate financial barriers of participation. During this past year, Girls on the Run Twin Cities officially changed names to Girls on the Run Minnesota to better reflect our program reach. After serving the Rochester community for over three years and providing programming in St. Cloud and Duluth, GOTR MN's program reached new communities across the state. In FY 22, GOTR MN served over 110 girls in Duluth, 26 girls in St. Cloud, and 70 in the Greater Rochester Area.
Current Goals
GOTR MN's programmatic goals include: - sustainable statewide expansion that prioritizes access and inclusion- recruiting, training, and training diverse volunteers- deepening community engagement in order to co-create programming together - engaging youth voice and alum involvement in new ways (including youth on board and youth as volunteer coaches)
Community or Constituency Served
Girls on the Run Minnesota serves girls and non-binary/gender nonconforming youth 3rd-8th grade.
Geographic Area Served
Girls on the Run Minnesota (GOTR MN) currently serves girls and nonbinary/gender nonconforming youth (3rd-8th grade) all across the state of Minnesota. Approximately, 87% of GOTR MN participants live within the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area and 13% live in Greater Minnesota (Non-metro counties/communities). Greater MN counties include: Olmsted, St. Louis, Dakota, Dodge, Rice, and Sherburne.
