For Immediate Release | January 18, 2023 | Memphis, Tennessee — As Girls on the Run (GOTR) Memphis approaches its 5th year, recruitment for volunteer coaches and program participants for the Spring 2023 season is underway. Girls on the Run is an international nonprofit organization that offers programming that strengthens third to eighth grade girls’ social, emotional, physical and behavior skills. Led by volunteer coaches who are mentors committed to the holistic development of young girls, the program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.
“Communities are transformed by great leaders with big hearts who are committed to lifting up younger generations,” said Joanna Lipman, executive director for Girls on the Run Memphis. “We are seeking volunteer coaches who can lead our girls by facilitating a curriculum taught in a safe space where expressing emotions is welcomed and critical coping skills are learned.”
Coach Applications are currently being accepted now through January 28 at GOTRMemphis.org/coach for all our locations, including our new sites in Whitehaven, North & South Memphis, and Hickory Hill. GOTR coaches help the participants connect with peers and build confidence, all while staying physically active, and it is not a requirement to be a runner in order to be a Girls on the Run Coach.
“From the girls I coach, I’ve learned a little bit more about myself and a whole lot about the power we have as adults to encourage and motivate our girls, especially during the critical developmental years,” said Kelly Jo Graves, Girls on the Run board chair and coach.
Girls on the Run will bring its social and emotional programming to girls ages 8-13 in the Mid-South, 2x a week for 10 weeks, from February 20 - April 30. Online Registration is now open for program participants through February 21 at GOTRMemphis.org/program.
Together with their coaches, girls explore topics and participate in activities that empower them to understand and value their physical and mental health. Girls on the Run targets the development of the WHOLE girl, through mind, body, and spirit. The cost for the entire season is $150 per student. That fee includes a t-shirt, water bottle, cinch-sack, and the 5K entry. Financial assistance is available to all girls, and no girl will be turned away for an inability to pay the full amount.
“At Girls on the Run, we envision a world where every girl recognizes her inner power, embraces her individuality and activates her limitless potential,” said Lipman. “Access and inclusion are our priority and we don’t want to miss out on any opportunity to change someone’s life.”
Since its inception in Memphis in 2018, the organization has served close to 1,000 girls and engaged 500 volunteers at approximately 15 program sites-including local parks, community centers, and public, private and charter schools. Each season the program culminates with a GOTR 5K Run & Celebration, which will be held on April 30, for the first time it will be located at the University of Memphis. The race gives the girls a tangible sense of accomplishment.
About Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run Memphis is a subsidiary of the national non-profit Girls on the Run International, a physical activity-based positive youth development program for 3rd-8th grade girls. Participants develop and improve competence, feel confident in who they are, develop strength of character, respond to others and oneself with care, create positive connections with peers and adults and make a meaningful contribution to community and society. Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches that guide and mentor the girls. The ten-week program concludes with all participants completing a celebratory 5k event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Girls on the Run has served over 2 million girls since its inception in 1996.