NEW ORLEANS – The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter program awarded an $8,210 grant to Girls on the Run New Orleans, a nonprofit organization, as part of the company’s commitment to provide access to sports for one million young athletes over the next five years. The announcement was made in a press release from Girls on the Run.
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based positive youth development that is designed to enhance girls’ social, emotional and physical skills and behaviors to successfully navigate life experiences. The program’s intentional curriculum places an emphasis on developing competence, confidence, connection, character, caring and contribution in young girls through lessons that incorporate running and other physical activities. The life skills curriculum is delivered by trained and caring coaches in a safe and inclusive environment. It is the combination of the research-based curriculum, trained coaches and a commitment to serve all girls that sets Girls on the Run apart from other out of school programs.
“Girls on the Run envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams,” says Jody Braunig, the executive director of Girls on the Run. “This grant from The DICK’S Foundation will help move this vision forward by providing opportunities for more girls to participate in our life-changing program.”
An independent study found that the Girls in the Run program is highly effective at driving transformative and lasting change in the lives of third through eighth grade girls. Ninety-seven-percent of participants said they learned critical life skills such as how to resolve conflict, manage emotions, help others and make intentional decisions at Girls on the Run that they are using at home, at school and with their friends.
“We are thrilled to partner with Girls on the Run to help inspire and encourage young girls to be healthy and confident,” said Aimee Watters, executive director of The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. “Our goal is to help more than one million young athletes across the country play sports, and this is just one way we are doing that.”
New Orleans is one of 13 Girls on the Run councils to receive The DICK’s Foundation grant. In total, over $700,000 was awarded to councils in 11 states to advance the mission of Girls on the Run.
