GIRLS ON THE RUN SERVING GREATER KANSAS CITY MISSOURI

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development program designed to develop and enhance girls' social, psychological, and physical competencies to successfully navigate life experiences. Girls in the 3rd through 8th grades combine training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with healthy living education. Our character-building program instills self-esteem through health education, life skills development, mentoring relationships, and physical training - all of which are accomplished through an active collaboration with girls and their parents, schools, volunteers, staff, and the community. Our program is held twice a year in the spring and fall, and each season is eight weeks in duration. The program is currently taught in elementary schools, middle schools and community centers around the Kansas City area. Teams meet for an hour and a half twice a week and each session is led by specially trained volunteer coaches and includes lessons dealing with issues such as body image, negative self-talk, resisting peer pressure, gratitude, gossip, nutrition, substance abuse, making healthy decisions and contributing to the community. In 2023, Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City served more than 2,700 girls and engaged more than 2,000 volunteers. In addition, 50% of our program participants were awarded full or partial scholarships to participate. Twice each year, Girls on the Run of Greater Kansas City hosts a 5k event that is open to the public. Our 5k is unlike any other running event as it focuses on the girls and their accomplishment over the season. The races are open to the public and serve to engage the community in our mission.