Girls on the Run

Our Mission:

Girls on the Run is an after-school program designed to strengthen 3rd-5th grade girls' social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills during an important time in their development. Our participants learn critical life skills including managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping others, and making intentional decisions so that they are better prepared to successfully navigate life experiences and boldly pursue their dreams. Girls on the Run inspires young girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates movement. At the end of each season, the team plans and executes a community service project and participates in a local 5k race.

Our Activities:

After-School Practices
Direct Service
We coach two teams at the Truman School, a local New Haven K-8 magnet school, twice a week. Our Girls on the Run team consists of 3rd-5th graders and our Heart & Sole team consists of 6th-8th graders. As coaches we inspire young girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate their uniqueness. We inspire them to build confidence and other important life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and physical activities at each of our practices

End-of-Season 5k Run
Direct Service
At the end of the season, our team participates in a local 5k run. It is not a race and we do not encourage competition among the girls. We simply encourage each girl to move (whether that means running, walking, skipping, or dancing) through the entire course with strength and confidence. This fall, our team participated in the Christopher Martin's Christmas Run for Children in East Rock.

After-School Practice at Truman School
Direct Service
We coach a team of fifteen 3rd-5th grade girls at the Truman School Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-4:45pm September-December and February-May. Each practice has an intended theme that is reinforced through group discussion and two to three dynamic activities. Some examples include positive and negative self talk, peer pressure, building friendships, and healthy social media use. Each coach is responsible for directly facilitating one particular part of practice, as well as providing general assistance and managing behavior throughout the afternoon.

Community Impact Project
Direct Service
At the end of our 10-week season, each team chooses a particular issue or cause in their school or community that is important to them. They then work together to design and execute a service project that aims to address their issue of interest. In choosing and designing a project, the girls learn the value of helping others and recognize their potential to make a positive difference in the world. This fall, the girls made 5 large fleece blankets and donated them to a local soup kitchen.

End-of-Season 5k Run
Direct Service
Our season comes to an end with a joyful and fun non-competitive 5K. Throughout the season, the girls train and set goals for their running and are celebrated at our 5k.

Community Impact Project
Direct Service
At the end of our 10-week season, each team chooses an issue or cause that is important to them. They then design their own community impact project that aims to address their issue. In choosing and designing a project, the girls learn the value of helping others and recognize their potential to make a positive difference in the world. This spring, the girls made fleece blankets, dog toys, and cat toys that were donated to the New Haven Animal Shelter.

Student Leaders:

Juliana Surprenant - Coordinator/President