Girls on the Run of the Bay Area Receives $25,000 from Rite Aid Healthy Futures to Expand Girls’ Empowerment and Health Programming
Funding will support Girls on the Run of the Bay Area in both Spring and Fall programs as well as initiatives to improve volunteer and participant diversity.
May 20 – Girls on the Run of the Bay Area has received a $25,000 grant from Rite Aid Healthy Futures designed to combat health disparities and advance fitness and friendships among adolescent girls.
The announcement comes as local Girls on the Run councils prepared for their spring 5Ks, end-of-season events that are well known for their powerful positivity and celebratory atmosphere.
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a leader in positive youth development, and its experience-based curriculum creatively integrates running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident. The organization currently operates 171 local councils across the United States and Canada, serving nearly 200,000 girls annually.
The latest funding marks the third year of partnership between GOTR and Rite Aid Healthy Futures, the public charity affiliated with Rite Aid that seeks to advance equity and opportunity for children and youth. The grant supports the two organizations’ shared commitment to strengthening and empowering local communities.
Girls on the Run of the Bay Area is already utilizing the funds to increase participation in all Bay Area communities and increase volunteer engagement to mirror the girls we serve. We have started to conduct outreach campaigns to colleges and communities: community colleges to recruit students as coaches, under-resourced communities to increase awareness of this empowering program for youth.
Catherine Muriel, Executive Director of Girls on the Run of the Bay Area stated that “we are so honored and grateful to be part of such an impactful initiative, and to have the support of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. Our goal is to reach youth from under-resourced neighborhoods that many times do not have access to after-school programming, and provide students in the community the opportunity to volunteer with these amazing young girls.”
The grants are funded through Rite Aid’s KidCents fundraising program. Generous Rite Aid customers can round up their purchases online or in-store to support children’s health and wellness. Healthy Futures reinvests the funds into Rite Aid communities through grants benefiting organizations such as Girls on the Run.
“We remain inspired by the commitment of Girls on the Run to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams,” said Matt DeCamara, executive director of Rite Aid Healthy Futures. “Our partnership will ensure that more girls have access to their innovative programming that addresses health disparities and racial inequities in communities, ensure girls can reach their full potential and futures.”
Media Contact
Catherine Muriel – Cmuriel@gotrbayarea.org - 415-863-8942