Page 30 - BusinessWest October 28, 2024

Alison Berman says Girls on the Run is capturing girls at an age when they tend to lose confidence and drop out of organized sports.
Photo by Focus Ashely Photos
others, and making intentional decisions. There are separate curriculums for grades 3-5 and 6-8, so the lessons are age- appropriate. And the girls keep journals to track their personal goals and progress.
That sense of personal growth — Girls on the Run describes itself as developing joyful, healthy, and confident girls — is an attractive quality when so many negative factors are weighing on kids’ mental health these days, Berman said. Specifically, the pandemic exacerbated those issues in ways that have not yet totally resolved.
“We know girls are having hospital visits, suicide attempts, having increased numbers of depression and anxiety. And it doesn’t mean it’s not happening with boys as well, but with girls, it has dramatically shot up, whether it’s related to the pandemic or everything else going on in society.”
In addition, by age 9 or 10, confidence among girls tends to decline rapidly, Berman explained. “They tend to drop out of youth sports or organized sports in those years. So I do feel like this piece is really helping bolster kids’ confidence and giving them some skills they can take with them.”
The changes in girls are noticeable, she added, even to their teachers and coaches back at school.
“They talk about how, in the classroom, they see the kids doing these exact things, like standing up for other kids. They say kids who haven’t been speaking in the classroom, who have been essentially mute, go and do Girls on the Run and come out of their
shell, and then are back in the classroom taking a bigger role and speaking.
“So we’re really seeing the transfer of those skills,” she went
on. “It’s amazing because schools don’t have time to do the social- emotional piece. So I feel like their kids are really getting it from this curriculum.”
Lisa Queenin, Development & Outreach manager for GOTR Western Massachusetts,
“
Berman
Girls on
the Run inspires girls to build lives of purpose and to make a meaningful contribution to society. I can’t think of anyone more capable of modeling th”is than Alison.
>>
>>Continued from page W6
questions and become happier, healthier (in all ways), and more
confident, Berman is certainly a Woman of Impact.
Running with a Purpose
Girls on the Run claims to make a stronger impact than organized sports and physical-education programs when it comes to teaching life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflict, helping
who nominated Berman as a Woman of Impact, said it’s hard
Berman
Continued on page W32
Congratulations Dianne Fuller Doherty
We are immensely grateful for your outstanding contributions as a Community Foundation Trustee Emerita and for your ongoing commitment to our partnership as we work to improve the lives of people in our region.
We celebrate you as we journey together, cultivating a future filled with connection, creativity, and possibility.
The Community Foundation also extends heartfelt congratulations to all the other honorees for their incredible achievements. You inspire us all!
Together, you make our community a better place for all people in our region.
TRUST | EQUITY | ABUNDANCE
FOR CHANGE
Women of 333 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA 01103
Women of IMPACT 413-732-2858 | communityfoundation.org
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