After their mother died, sisters Dorothy-Grace and Hope moved to the Richmond area with their dad Tim. One of Dorothy-Grace’s teachers suggested Tim enroll his child in Girls on the Run Greater Richmond (GOTR) to help build her confidence, community, and communication skills as she navigated her new world.
“She was almost uncommunicative because of life circumstances,” Tim says. “The best part is that now, she is beginning to find real healing for her loss.”
By combining physical activity with dynamic lessons on life skills, GOTR inspires girls to lead joyful, healthy, and confident lives. As participants have small group discussions, write in journals, and complete laps, they develop specific strategies for managing emotions, resolving conflict, building friendships, and expressing empathy. The GOTR program culminates with each team completing a community service project of their own design – putting their collaboration skills to work – and all girls complete a celebratory, community-based 5k with their peers, coaches, and families.
Through that first GOTR experience, Dorothy-Grace “began to open up in class and on the track,” Tim says. With the program back at the school this past spring, she joined the team again. During her second season, Dorothy-Grace became one of the most vocal and passionate members of her team, leading cheers and recruiting new friends to take part in the GOTR experience.
Kate Atkeson, a program manager with GOTR Greater Richmond, says parents and caregivers enroll their children in GOTR to provide positive social, emotional, and physical benefits for their children. “Young girls need strong connections, space to move, and a community where they feel truly valued. GOTR provides them with this environment,” says Atkeson.
Since the Richmond chapter’s founding in 2013, more than 4,000 third through eighth grade girls have participated in GOTR’s after-school programs. The organization continues to expand its reach, aiming to serve more girls each year and foster a community where women of all ages and stages can thrive both physically and emotionally. “Hundreds of volunteers come together to make GOTR programs and 5k events possible,” says Atkeson. “In addition to the support of families, school communities, nonprofit partners, and the local business and philanthropic community are all in on girls’ health.”
The Girls’ Index, national research conducted annually by the nonprofit, Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX), revealed that more than 55 percent of girls hesitate to raise their hands for fear of being labeled as bossy, and nearly 80 percent report feeling intense pressure in their everyday lives. Vanessa, a GOTR parent, says she witnessed a significant boost in her child’s self-esteem and sense of belonging thanks to the GOTR program at C.E. Curtis Elementary School in Chesterfield County. “My child has started to develop female friendships and experience the bonds of girl power. She was exposed to more girls who let her know she was not going through pre-teen issues alone,” Vanessa says.
Just like Dorothy-Grace and Vanessa’s child, countless girls throughout greater Richmond have experienced the transformative power of GOTR. “Everyone involved in the program, from coaches to family members to school administrators, ends up growing together,” says Atkeson. “We are stronger when we join forces to support joy, health, and confidence in our community.”
How to Support Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run’s efforts are fueled by the support of community members dedicated to empowering the next generation of strong, confident women, one girl at a time!
Consider volunteering your time as a coach or assisting at the 5k events. No running or coaching experience is required – just a commitment to inspire and motivate. You can also support GOTR by participating in or sponsoring the 5k events, donating to the program, or spreading the word about the mission.
To learn more and get involved, visit gotrrichmond.org
or reach out to info@gotrrichmond.org.
