Volunteers needed: Help make a difference for girls by supporting this program

This paid piece is sponsored by EmBe.

Here’s the first thing to know about being a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run: You don’t need to be a runner. You don’t even need to like running.

“That’s the biggest misconception, and it’s absolutely not a requirement that the coach has to be a runner or be good at running,” said Kristina Lankow, who has been a volunteer coach since 2017.

“I’ve coached with one woman who doesn’t especially like to run and voices that with the team; it’s inspiring to see someone whose favorite sport isn’t running put their mind to it and stick to it.”

Lankow describes herself as a “casual runner” who met a fellow coach through her fitness center and was convinced to volunteer with Girls on the Run. The national empowerment program is administered throughout South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa by EmBe.

Lankow coaches elementary school girls in Brookings and is especially drawn to the program’s curriculum for girls as they transition from elementary into middle school.

“There’s a lot of emotions to navigate, and girls are realizing things about themselves and within friendships and trying to fit in,” she said. “What we teach is helping build their self-confidence and to be a good friend and make good friends and look for the positive in life.”

EmBe is in search of many more coaches like Lankow.

With a new season of Girls on the Run approaching, coaches are needed in Brookings, Chamberlain, Chester, Colman-Egan, Crooks/Tri-Valley, Custer, Pierre, Harrisburg, Hermosa, Kimball, Madison, Mitchell, Montrose, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish and Tea Area.

Each team includes four to six coaches, with a minimum of two at each 1.5-hour practice. There typically are two sessions each week for 10 weeks.

The EmBe team helps guide coaches through a curriculum focused on interactive lessons and running games. Training is provided at the start of the season, and EmBe continues to provide support throughout the program.

“Ideal coaches are positive, enthusiastic and committed to supporting girls’ empowerment. A background in education, youth mentoring, coaching or fitness can be helpful but is not required,” said Elizabeth Cordell, program coordinator.

“The program is designed to provide training and support, so anyone who is passionate about encouraging young girls and has the ability to commit to the program’s schedule is a good fit.”

EmBe serves girls in third through eighth grades throughout South Dakota and the surrounding region. Since its inception, the program has served more than 16,000 girls and continues to expand each season.

“At Girls on the Run, we know that girls’ self-confidence begins to drop at 9 years old. Physical activity levels start to decline at 10 years old,” Cordell said. “We also know that 50 percent of girls begin to experience bullying at 10 to 13 years old. Girls on the Run strives to change these statistics with evidence-based curriculum to promote social-emotional health and creatively integrate running games in each lesson.”

Girls on the Run provides a wide range of benefits for participants, including:

• Improved confidence: The program helps girls develop self-esteem through the completion of physical and personal challenges.
• Teamwork and friendship: Girls build strong bonds with their peers and learn the value of cooperation and support.
• Life skills: The program focuses on teaching key life skills such as goal-setting, problem-solving and making positive decisions.
• Physical health: Girls also get active, improving their physical health through fun exercises and activities.
• Leadership and empowerment: The program empowers girls to take on leadership roles and understand their own strengths and abilities.
• 97% of girls said they learn critical life skills, including resolving conflict, helping others or making intentional decisions.
• 85% of girls improved in confidence, caring, competence, character development or connection to others.
• 40% increase in physical activity level was found among girls who were least active at the start of the season.

As an adult, Lankow said she also relates to the lessons taught.

“I use the tools we teach the girls in my life,” she said. “Even as an adult, I find the strategies around how we respond to situations to be relatable.”

Other coaches are equally enthusiastic. Here’s a sampling of their feedback:

• “Not only are you impacting the lives of girls by being a positive role model and supporting/encouraging them to be the strong girls they are, but the girls also impact you and leave a mark on your heart forever.”
• “Not only do you get to support a group of young girls in developing their confidence and establishing healthy habits, but you, as a coach, will get just as much from the program, if not more.”
• “The relationships that are built with the girls is invaluable. Giving them ways to help deal with situations that may occur in their life and helping them build their self-esteem is awesome to see.”
• “I enjoyed helping the girls realize they CAN do hard things, and I learned determination from them.”
• “I love coaching GOTR because it teaches girls healthy habits, not just from a physical standpoint but also from an emotional one. I love seeing their confidence build, and as a teacher, I see them use some of the GOTR lingo in friend situations, which is super-rewarding.”

Lankow tells others “it’s the best volunteer organization. If you want your volunteering to be rewarding and you have limited time, this is a great way to do something high-impact where you’re supported throughout. I’m not a teacher. I had no connection to a school when I started. No one should be reluctant to volunteer because if you need anything, someone is always there to help you out.”

Coaches consistently report that their experience with Girls on the Run “is incredibly rewarding,” Cordell added.

“Many mention the joy of seeing the girls’ transformation over the course of the program, from building self-confidence to developing new skills. Coaches also enjoy the sense of community, the chance to make a positive impact on the lives of young girls and the support from the Girls on the Run network. For many, the program is described as an inspiring and fun experience that offers both personal and professional growth.”

To learn more

If you’re interested in becoming a coach, the first step is to visit the Girls on the Run South Dakota website at embe.org/gotr and look for available coaching opportunities in your area.

From there, potential coaches can apply online. Once approved, you will be required to complete a background check and participate in mandatory online and in-person coach training. This training typically covers the program curriculum, strategies for working with youth and the program’s core values.

After training, coaches can begin working with their teams at the start of the season. If you have any questions, please contact the Girls on the Run program coordinator, Elizabeth Cordell, at [email protected] or 605-681-8349.

The upcoming spring season begins in mid-February. Active coach recruitment is underway now, and girls can sign up beginning Jan. 7.