Objectives

The Girls on the Run objective is to reduce the potential display of at-risk activities among its participants. The goal is fewer adolescent pregnancies and eating disorders, less depression and suicide attempts, as well as fewer substance/alcohol abuse problems and confrontations with the juvenile justice system.

Vision

To provide quality and life-changing programming for girls and women, and to provide quality and life-changing experiences to the women involved in the delivery and development of the program as well

To promote an environment that allows girls and women to reach their full potential
To constantly strive to improve itself by staying open-minded, trusting and flexible
To enhance the lives of all involved in the program

Girls On Track

Girls on the Run is the name of our organization, but we have two programs:

Girls on the Run -- for 3rd-5th graders
Girls on Track -- for 6th-8th graders
The Girls on the Run curriculum has been in use since the fall of 1996. Since that time thousands of girls have been through the program-but what we soon discovered is, they were having so much fun and getting so connected, they wanted something that would carry them through middle school. We originally wanted to call it Girls on the Run for Middle Schoolers. The girls who were participating told us they wanted something they could call their own. Hence the birth of Girls on Track.

The principal philosophies and psychological research for both programs are the same yet the depth of processing the topics varies with the two different curricula. We can go into more targeted and age-appropriate discussion regarding certain topics (eating disorders, tobacco and alcohol use, personal/internet safety and harassment to name a few) with the middle school participants.

Accentuate the Positive!
Girls in the program are challenged to examine:

Their core values and uniqueness

Their body image issues
Stereotyping and discriminatory behaviors
Importance of having realistic and healthy view of themselves

Cultural and social messages from media and society

Their place within their community

Our Approach

Girls on the Run International is creating grass roots organizations to deliver our message to young girls through volunteer coaches and mentors. Our 12-week character building program of experiential learning through running teaches very specific and well-defined social and personal skills. The program culminates in a non-competitive 5K race event which gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

The curriculum encompasses the following 3 concepts:

Weeks 1-4: All About Me...Getting to Know Who I am and What I Stand For!

Weeks 5-8: Building My Team...Understanding the Importance of Cooperation.

Weeks 9-12: Community Begins with Me...Learning About Community and Designing Own Community Project.

The Mater Christi Program will be in the Spring (April till June). For the first time there will also a program called "Girls on Track" for older girls.

For more information on the Girls on the Run program in general, see gotrvt.org

For more information about the Girls on the Run Program at Mater Christi, contact Mary Beth Nuovo at 863-2917 or mbnuovo@aol.com

There is always a need for coaches!!!!