On December 3rd, the Juneau community joined AWARE to celebrate the accomplishments of students participating in the Girls on the Run (GOTR) & Boys Run I toowú klatseen (BRITK) programs. Fifty-eight girls from Gastineau, Montessori, Glacier Valley and Auke Bay Elementary schools, and 26 boys from Mendenhall River and Montessori Elementary schools participated in the programs. The 5k fun run was the culmination of 10 weeks of lessons for these students, which taught them about identity and personal values, the power of teamwork and cooperation, and the benefits of giving back to their communities through service and volunteerism.
Girls on the Run and Boys Run I toowú klatseen are empowerment programs for 3rd-8th graders. I toowú klatseen means “strengthen your spirit” in Tlingit and is AWARE’s newest after-school program working to build “strength of spirit” for 3rd through 5th grade boys. Composed of running, discussion, and culturally-based activities that honor Southeast Alaska traditional tribal values, BRITK helps participants gain skills for building healthy relationships and creating communities of respect for self and others while training for a final 5K Community Fun Run. Both programs are part of Juneau Violence Prevention Coalition efforts to end violence and empower youth.
AWARE would like to thank all of our amazing GOTR and Boys Run I toowú klatseen (BRITK) participants, coaches, parents, and volunteers for another successful season and an incredibly fun and successful 5K event. We thank our generous sponsors who donated to show their support for the programs; thank you Superbear, Heritage Coffee, Breeze In, Safeway and Costco for providing delicious food and drinks. We also thank Rainforest Pediatrics and the City and Borough of Juneau for your ongoing financial support of Girls on the Run. Thanks to your generosity we are able to bring these programs to youth across Juneau regardless of ability to pay.
One of the most rewarding volunteer experiences you can have is coaching a Girls on the Run or Boys Run I toowú klatseen team. Volunteer coaches facilitate our easy-to-follow curriculum with groups of 7 to 15 girls or boys over the course of the 10-week season. Coaches are not required to be runners; they simply must be passionate about the mission of the programs, committed to working with a group of kids, and able to bring energy and joy to each practice. The Spring 2017 coach training for new Girls on the Run coaches is January 28th and the training for new Boys Run coaches is February 4th. The season runs from February 13th to May 6th.
Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape Emergencies
