As they continue to gain confidence and learn the skills to make them productive leaders in the future, Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan picked up a sizable boost today from the Pokagon Fund to advance their work in the current season.
The Pokagon Fund, which is a nonprofit private foundation supported by revenue from the Four Winds Casino family, has committed to supporting Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan, the physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade with a $3,750.00 grant for the current season.
That generous award will fund girls participation at New Buffalo Elementary and River Valley Middle School. Over the course of the 10-week program, they will develop their confidence, learn about building healthy relationships and participate in a community service project while becoming physically and emotionally prepared to complete a 5K run this spring.
Janet Cocciarelli is Executive Director of The Pokagon Fund. She says, “Active participation in sports helps young female students build self-esteem, understand the value of team work, relieve social and academic pressures and forge healthy relationships with other girls.” She adds, “We are grateful to support this opportunity for our Harbor Country youth.”
Meanwhile, Tess Carragher, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Southwest Michigan says, “With the support of The Pokagon Fund, Girls on the Run is able to host programming for 21 girls at New Buffalo Elementary, and 13 girls at River Valley Middle School. Grants like these ensure Girls on the Run can continue to be accessible to every girl in our community.” Carragher adds, “We believe in the potential of every girl, and look forward to partnering with community groups who share our vision for joyful, healthy and confident youth.”
Teams from New Buffalo Elementary, River Valley Middle School, and additional Berrien County sites will participate in the Girls on the Run 5K on May 16th. With a focus on mastery rather than competition, the unique 5K offers a chance for girls to celebrate their accomplishments alongside their team and community supporters.
Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan impacts the lives of nearly 1,000 girls in Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties each year. Through the help of generous foundations like The Pokagon Fund, individual donors and sponsors, scholarships are provided to 62-percent of program participants. With the help of The Pokagon Fund, Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan looks forward to continuing to grow and inspire more girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.
Girls on the Run is a national physical activity-based positive youth development program for 3rd-through-8th grade girls. Participants develop and improve competence, feel confidence in who they are, develop strength of character, respond to others and oneself with care, create positive connections with peers and adults and make a meaningful contribution to community and society.
Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches that guide and mentor the girls. The ten-week program concludes with all participants completing a celebratory 5k event which gives them a tangible sense of achievement as well as a framework for setting and achieving life goals. Girls on the Run has served over 1.2-million girls since its inception in 1996.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market shows the New Buffalo Elementary team for Girls on the Run, and is courtesy of the team’s coach.
