With a record number of participants, the program depends on 90 volunteer coaches to deliver the program. The coaches will assist the young girls in a ten-week journey that includes lessons on self-esteem, confidence, and tough issues such as bullying and gossiping, as well as preparing them for the Run Louisiana Girls on the Run 5K. Of the four hundred plus participants this fall, 250 of these young girls were given the opportunity to participate in the program through the Girls on the Run of Greater Baton Rouge Scholarship Fund.
Girls on the Run coach, Laura Smith, shared what third grader, Mary Claire, had to say on their first day of practice, “We’re all different, but we can all do great things.” In response, Hydie Wahlborg, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of Greater Baton Rouge, says, “It’s a joy to know that the girls are learning to embrace not only their own unique gifts, talents and differences, but those of others as well.” With twenty-five schools in the Greater Baton Rouge area hosting the girls and coaches this season, Wahlborg believes the inspirational stories will continue throughout the fall.
With the expansion of Girls on the Run of Greater Baton Rouge, the program will now accept site applications in all of the following parishes: East Baton Rouge, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermillion.
If you are interested in bringing Girls on the Run to your school or community center, please contact Hydie Wahlborg, Hydie@girlsontherungbr.org
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