Photo courtesy Girls on the Run Memphis
In February, we published a feature about Girls on the Run Memphis, a local chapter of a national nonprofit that is dedicated to strengthening girls’ emotional, social, and physical development through a combined curriculum of running and life skills lessons. Since then, the program participation has doubled, so now, they’re looking for sponsors, volunteers, and coaches to help during the fall season.
Thus, the organization is running a back-to-school campaign. “The Back to School campaign is about making sure that every girl in Memphis, regardless of their circumstances, whether it’s inability to pay or physical ability, has the opportunity to experience Girls on the Run,” says Joanna Lipman, executive director.
Lipman says people can help in one of two ways. The first way is to sponsor a girl participating in the program. “The idea is that, if you help fund a girl’s program fees, you're really investing in her future,” she says. “School starts, and there's this opportunity right at the get-go for girls to make a choice to feel empowered and included and to join in a program where they have a mentor looking out for them, inspiring them to live out their potential.” A monthly donation of $15 or a one-time contribution of $175 can cover the cost of one girl’s participation for the entire year.
Lipman says there are other ways to help. “We’re doubling the number of sites for the program and are reaching more girls, so we’re always looking for coaches and mentors who will work with them and represent them,” she says.
Each team consisting of 8-15 girls needs a head coach and an assistant coach who is able to meet for 90-minute sessions twice weekly for 10 weeks. Adults interested in volunteering for either of these positions, or teenagers looking for junior coach positions, can fill out a coach application here. Coach training for the fall season, which runs mid-August through early September, begins August 3rd, so, on your mark, get set, go!