PO Box 370525, West Hartford, CT 06137 | 315.345.5937 | gotrgreaterhartford.org
Our Mission: Girls on the Run Greater Hartford inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident through an intentional curriculum that creatively integrates running. The program uses youth development specialist Dr. Richard Lerner’s 5Cs + 1 framework as a basis for its intentionally designed curriculum, creating lessons that promote competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution to society. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and completing a celebratory, non-competitive 5K event that provides girls with a tangible understanding of the confidence that comes through accomplishment and a framework for setting and achieving life goals.
Now more than ever, girls are facing uncertainty, social pressure, and navigating a critical and stressful time in their lives. Girls on the Run Greater Hartford is committed to delivering an inclusive space for girls to move, grow, learn, connect, and thrive, no matter the circumstances. Whether in-person or virtually, using our fun and engaging curriculum that creatively integrates running and movement, we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength, celebrate what makes them one of a kind, and reach their limitless potential.
Throughout a Girls on the Run season, girls get to be silly and fun, and ask the hard questions and dig deeper into real problems. You see their growth, both individually and in their friendships, developing skills to identify and communicate their feelings. It’s wonderful to provide a space as a coach, and watch the girls create a space for each other, where they feel truly valued.”
– Rachel Blazer, Girls on the Run Coach & SoleMate, Simsbury, CT
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted your organization? How have your organization’s fundraising efforts, giving opportunities and volunteer opportunities changed as a result?
The cancellation of the spring 2020 season and the continued complications and limitations caused by the pandemic have reduced program and event participation, and impacted traditional engagement, development and income opportunities. Along with our program adaptations for virtual delivery, in-person community engagements, event-based fundraising, and sponsorship have also transitioned to a virtual space, allowing for much-needed financial and promotional support to continue.
How have the services you provide to the community changed in response to the COVID’s impact? Have you developed new and far-reaching services/support?
We adapted our programming to be delivered in-person or virtually, with the ability to seamlessly transition between both formats to accommodate for changing school structures and limitations. Offering both formats has allowed for schools and communities that can accommodate spacing and safety requirements to practice in-person, while the virtual format allows us to continue to provide the connection and support of our programs to girls throughout our service area, while keeping them safe. No matter where they are located, programming is available virtually.
