Mario Lotmore | Updated 11.26.2019
On November 4, Girls on the Run of Snohomish County celebrated its open house and ribbon cutting at 6505 218th St. Southwest, Suite 14, Mountlake Terrace. “We are here to help girls make healthy choices for themselves,” said Executive Director Megan Wolfe. “All girls are to believe in themselves… their dreams are valued and great.”
In 2019, the non-profit organization had 170 volunteers comprising 60 teams that coached, inspired, and mentored 900 girls. Currently 29.70% of those girls are in the Edmonds School District.
Since its inception in 2015, Girls on the Run of Snohomish County has mentored over 1,600 girls between third and eighth grades within the school districts of Edmonds, Mukilteo, Everett, Lake Stevens, Northshore, Snohomish, and Marysville. The curriculum is broken into two parts: Girls on the Run for third to sixth graders and Heart & Sole for middle schoolers.
Both the Girls on the Run (GOTR) and Heart & Sole 10-week programs meet twice a week in small teams and are taught by certified Girls on the Run coaches. Each team creates and executes a local community service project and concludes with a 5k run.
Shaina Cochrane, a GOTR volunteer and coach at Hazelwood Elementary, is a member of the Kitsap Forest Theater. When asked why she volunteers for the program she said, “I love working with the girls. It is a powerful social and emotional program that engages girls. It gives them life skills they will need, while at the same time having fun.”
“I have grown in confidence myself,” Cochrane replied when asked how the experience has changed her. “I am a better leader who empowers girls in the community.” Cochrane added, “The toughest part about GOTR is helping students come out of their shell.”
Registration opens in January 2020. The fee for either program is $185 but financial assistance is available. To register or become a sponsor, visit www.girlsontherunsnoco.org or call 425-207-3214.
Author: Mario Lotmore
