About Us
The Girls on the Run (GOTR) lessons encourage positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Participants explore and discuss their own beliefs around experiences and challenges girls face at this age. They also develop important strategies and skills to help them navigate life experiences. We start with helping the girls get a better understanding of who they are and what's important to them. Then, we look at the importance of teamwork and healthy relationships. And, finally, the girls explore how they can positively connect with and shape the world.
Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska was founded in 2011 in Anchorage. A community of five professional women joined together to provide the infrastructure, fundraising, and community development to form a council. The first Girls on the Run program was held at North Star Elementary School, with one team of 11 girls. The Spring of 2012 brought us to three program sites.
We have grown each year, in both sites and in registrations. In 2014 we incorporated in the State of Alaska. With the help of hundreds of community volunteers, we have hosted 14 end of season 5K events. In the year 2016, Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska achieved 501c3 status, and our first UAA intern joined us. In 2018, we had two part-time employees, 10 governing board members, 5 committees led by board members and staffed by community volunteers, and are on track to have 25 schools host our GOTR program.
How Pick.Click.Give. makes a difference
In the fiscal year 2020, we served 289 girls attending ASD and Mat Su Borough elementary schools or private schools, ages 8-13 at 22 different school sites. 69.5% of the girls were the recipient of a scholarship, most with over 90% of their program fee covered by donations. The demographic breakdown of the girls served is:
18% Alaska Native
10% Asian
10% African American
11% Hispanic
7% Pacific Islander
31% Caucasian
9% Multiple Races
4% Other
In the fiscal year 2024, we plan to host our program in over 20 elementary and middle schools in the Southcentral area of Alaska. We rely on the help of over 300 dedicated volunteers, and are governed by 10 members of our Board of Directors. Pick.Click.Give funds will directly support our GOTR program. GOTR Southcentral operates at a 69.5%+ scholarship rate, with a policy that no girl be turned away for inability to pay.
