News
May 19, 2020Girls on the Run Capital Region Continues Support for Girls During COVID-19
Similar to many other events and programs this spring, Girls on the Run Capital Region in partnership with our Board of Directors, had to make the decision in mid-March to cancel our in-person programming at all of our spring 2020 sites, along with our in-person celebratory 5k. We were incredibly sad and disappointed, as we know our girls and coaches were too, but being a program that is structured around encouraging activity and nurturing connection there was just no safe way for us to continue our traditional programming. Instead, we took this moment to recognize our great collective responsibility to ensure a safer and healthier community for all.
As a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world where all girls can know and activate their limitless potential, we rely on program fees to support our operations and ensure all girls in our community can participate. This pandemic has undoubtedly made a significant impact on our organization’s finances and has forced us to put emergency plans in place to ensure Girls on the Run Capital Region’s survival. Despite this, our mission continues and we believe is needed more than ever! Even though we’re unable to gather for lessons or the in-person 5K event, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide opportunities for girls to be physically active and engaged with the core values of our programs.
Girls on the Run has mobilized three different strategies to drive our mission of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. With GOTR at Home, our first strategy, we are providing fun and interactive lessons that girls and families can do at home, designed specifically with young girls in mind! These GOTR at Home lessons aim to provide girls of all abilities with an opportunity to learn and grow, just as they would have at their scheduled practices. GOTR at Home lessons are available in an easy-to-follow written format so girls and their grown-ups can participate together AND as a YouTube video series specifically for girls.
Our second strategy, #GOTRGotYourBack, aligns with the Girls on the Run mission and values and includes content, resources and activities to help girls and families stay physically active, connected and engaged. While the GOTR at Home program resources are intended only for families of GOTR girls who are currently enrolled, this digital campaign will offer alternative tips and activities for ALL families, volunteers, and followers to use and enjoy.
The Girls on the Run 5K experience is our culminating season event and is key to celebrating the girls’accomplishments. Despite not having our large group celebratory 5k event we are thrilled to be hosting a Girls on the Run Virtual 5K in conjunction with our presenting sponsor BlueShield of Northeastern New York. “Our organization feels so strongly that we need to continue to support and nurture the social emotional learning and physical activity of young girls right now. We are opting to lean into our mission via the initiatives that we’re prioritizing right now as a way for Girls on the Run Capital Region to stay connected with our community while remaining apart,” said Sarah Smith Syden, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Capital Region. The virtual 5K event is similar to a traditional running event except the participants will complete at their place and at their pace! Registration for community members is open now. Follow Girls on the Run Capital Region on Facebook, Instagram and our website; gotrcr.org for updates and information about the virtual 5K.
Through these efforts, Girls on the Run is working now more than ever to offer our girls and community a break from the fear and uncertainty they may be feeling. GOTR at Home, #GOTRGotYourBack and Girls on the Run Virtual 5K is giving girls and our communities the opportunity to connect with others, find helpful resources, be inspired and motivated, or just simply experience a bright spot in their day.
