I'd heard of the organization Girls on the Run several times before actually diving into the wide world of Web to get the true scoop. What pushed me to finally research the group is a mystery; next to my political apathy, my lack of binding support for any particular non-profit (with the exception of my employer, of course) is one of my greatest personal flaws. Regardless, I Googled, and the results blew me away....
Molly Barker, a North Carolinian social worker, founded Girls on the Run in 1996 in an effort to preserve something very valuable; our real, authentic, inspired, divine little girls. I'm willing to bet that any female reading this blog can remember the age when she began to falter, even briefly; when she somehow doubled back on herself, doubting her brains, body, or ambitions. Knowing the value of finding one's feet and the thrill of achievement, Barker developed a 24 lesson curriculum devoted to the mission of educating and preparing girls for a life-time of self-respect and healthy living. Barker pulled in the women of all ages whom she loved, admired, and respected, and passed the torch; the program borne of this group combines 5k race training with life-changing self-esteem enhancing lessons that enhance social, physical and mental health in 8 – 12 year old girls.
Inspired, I dug further and discovered that the Brighton YMCA had tried several times to launch this program without the proper staffing. "I'll do it," I told them. "Let's roll!" they responded. And so it is. I'm happy to announce that we'll be kicking off a six month GOTR program at the Oak Square YMCA in Brighton for the late fall session beginning in November. If you're on the fence about helping or are at all intrigued, I encourage you to read this post from Molly Barker's GOTR blog and be reminded of your real, fourth grade, stranger-hugging, freely dancing self. Love to have you.
http://girlsontherun.sitewizard.biz/molly_sblog.html
