Girls on the Run of North Central West Virginia (NCWV), a non-profit organization that provides a physical activity-based positive youth development program for girls in third through eighth grade, is expanding to Ohio, Brooke, Hancock and Marshall counties in West Virginia’s northern panhandle next spring through a partnership with MedExpress, a neighborhood medical center.
Girls on the Run NCWV started in Monongalia County in 2007 and has grown over 12 years to serve approximately 600 girls each season. With the support of MedExpress and its volunteers, Girls on the Run NCWV will expand to serve an estimated 100 new girls during the spring 2020 season.
A 2016 longitudinal study by Dr. Maureen Weiss, University of Minnesota, evaluated the impact of Girls on the Run on positive youth development and found that the program successfully creates lasting changes in the girls it serves. In fact, 97 percent of the girls who participated learned critical life skills and physical activity increased by 40 percent in girls who were least active at the beginning of the season.
“It’s our goal to make sure girls throughout West Virginia have the tools they need to not only conquer social pressures, but to also celebrate their inner strength and identify what makes them one of a kind,” said Joanna Mizener, executive director, Girls on the Run of NCWV. “With the help of MedExpress, we’re now able to make an impact on even more young girls and ensure they’re getting the emotional, mental and physical support they need to live healthy, happy lives.”
The ten-week Girls on the Run NCWV curriculum, led by volunteers, combines fun, physical-activity based games with lessons that teach life skills and healthy habits and encourage self-worth and compassion. At the end of each season, girls participate in a celebratory 5K with their teammates and coaches to bring to life the skills they’ve learned through the program.
“Our partnership with Girls on the Run NCWV allows us to help young girls in even more communities in our home state of West Virginia to develop healthy habits through running and exercise that will last a lifetime,” said Jenny Anderson, MedExpress center manager in Weirton.
“As a woman, I understand the importance of having other women surround you, lift you up and celebrate your accomplishments,” said one caregiver of a Girls on the Run of NCWV participant. “Girls on the Run helps foster that from an early age, and I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand the change that the program has had on my girl – both physically and mentally – during a crucial time in her development.”
For more information or to bring the program to your school or community site, visit the local council webpage at www.gotrncwv.org or contact our staff at info@gotrncwv.org. Registration for girls who would like to participate in the spring program will open online atwww.gotrncwv.org on Jan. 7.
