AUSTIN (KXAN) — This Sunday, Austinites have the chance to support young girls in the community while getting active themselves. Girls on the Run Austin is hosting a fundraising event at 1 p.m. at RIDE, a cycling studio located at 117 Lavaca Street in downtown Austin. Participants can enjoy a spin class while contributing to programs that aim to empower girls and build their confidence.
Girls on the Run Austin focuses on girls in third through eighth grades in Travis and Williamson counties, as well as offering opportunities for teenage junior coaches. The program is centered around promoting healthy habits, setting goals, and creating a supportive community for young girls. Board members Rebekah Ozuna and Catherine Wicker emphasize the importance of reaching girls at a young age to instill positive self-talk and self-esteem.
According to Wicker, girls in third through fifth grades are particularly vulnerable to negative self-talk, body image issues, and bullying. The program aims to help girls maintain their inner star power and navigate challenging situations with confidence. Each semester, girls participate in a 10-week program that combines running workouts with lessons on healthy living, body image, self-talk, and social media engagement. The program culminates in a 5K race where the girls are celebrated by their support systems.
Ozuna highlights the fun and excitement of the program, which encourages girls to stay active, think positively, and embrace a healthy lifestyle. She stresses the importance of having a strong support system to champion the girls and motivate them to prioritize their well-being. Wicker, in addition to being a board member, serves as a coach and emphasizes the role of rerouting negative self-talk and providing girls with the tools for success in running and in life.
Wicker emphasizes the value of team support and community in helping girls navigate the challenges of today’s world, including the constant exposure to negative self-talk through social media. The team environment fosters healthier relationships and provides girls with positive role models to look up to. Sunday’s fundraising event offers 38 bikes for participants to join the spin class by making a donation to Girls on the Run Austin. Attendees can also take part in raffles to win prizes.
For those interested in supporting Girls on the Run Austin, there are various ways to get involved, including participating in events, donating online, volunteering, becoming a coach, or starting a team. Following Girls on the Run Austin on social media is another way to stay connected and show support for the organization’s mission of empowering young girls in the community.
