GIRLS ON THE RUN
THIS SEASON
SAFV and the Pathways Coalition are excited to offer the 15th season of Girls on the Run this Spring 2024
Look out for more updates on future seasons on this page or on our Facebook.
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In 2009, SAFV began the national Girls on the Run (GOTR) program in Sitka at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary. Since then, our local program has grown to include 25-40 girls each year, and, starting in spring 2017, a "Heart and Sole" team (Girls on the Run's program for 6th-8th graders) at Blatchley Middle School. This empowerment program for girls in third through eighth grade combines running with lessons on healthy living and positive peer relationships culminating in a 5K fun run.
The goal of Girls on the Run / Heart and Sole is to empower girls early in their lives to find strength, courage and self-respect from within and draw upon it as they face the challenges of adolescence and adulthood. SAFV supports GOTR as part of our primary prevention programming.
In 2014, the founder of GOTR, Molly Barker, came to Sitka to meet our team and give them words of encouragement before their final 5K fun run. Video produced by Anne Brice, SAFV (2014)
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The curriculum is based on extensive educational research and “on the track” testing. Evaluations show improvement in girls’ attitudes about body image, eating attitudes, and self-esteem. Our GOTR coaches are the core of the program, providing positive mentoring relationships throughout the season and encouraging girls as they work together to accomplish their season goals. We all know being a girl is a big job, and to be the healthiest and happiest girl possible we need to come together with other girls to learn, live, dream and RUN!
In Sitka, we are proud to host GOTR in partnership with the Sitka School District. GOTR of Greater Alaska is made possible by our affiliate organization in Juneau, AWARE, Inc., which provides technical assistance and support to GOTR teams all over the region. For more information about Sitka's team or to volunteer, contact SAFV at schools@safv.org.
We keep our costs for Girls on the Run as low as we can, in part thanks to our amazing volunteer coaches. However, half of our participants need scholarships each year. Individuals and organizations can fully sponsor a participant for $100, tax-deductible through SAFV. If you are interested in providing a partial or full scholarship,contact schools@safv.org.
MEDIA
SAFV produced a series of PSAs for the 2014 season of Girls on the Run (GOTR). Each PSA focuses on a different theme from a lesson in the curriculum. The PSAs aired on KCAW Raven Radio throughout the season to build awareness about the program.
Girls on the Run Founder Molly Barker gives a motivational speech before the final 5K Fun Run in Sitka, spring 2014. (Photo by Anne Brice, SAFV)
GOTR PSAs
Interviews
Listen to an interview with Girls on the Run Founder Molly Barker that aired over Raven Radio in Sitka and surrounding communities.
News Stories
Check out this radio story about Girls on the Run, produced by Anne Brice, that aired statewide over Alaska Public Radio Network and in Sitka and surrounding communities on Raven Radio.
