As all the CIS 112 students start their work with their respective organizations, I'm also starting my own service learning journey as a head coach of one of the Girls on the run teams. Through my past few weeks with the organization I have come to understand more and more how service learning benefits every person involved.
Girls on the run does a particularly great job of showing coaches that they will benefit from the service they provide just as much as the young girls do. During our coaches training, we had to go through a lesson ourselves as if we were the girls in the program. This gave the coaches a chance to talk about our own expectations and worries for the coming season and emphasized the community dynamic that Girls on the Run creates.
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| Me sporting my Girls on the run coach uniform |
While the lessons are certainly geared towards the young girls, being able to have open-hearted discussions about sensitive topics such as self-esteem and body image is therapeutic in itself. Every Monday and Wednesday I am excited to go share in the love and support offered by the girls and coaches in our own little part of the Girls on the run Community. Seeing all those smiling faces that are willing to be honest, brace, and jump in and try new things with coaches who are dedicated to making it a positive experience is truly rewarding.
Whether you are 8 or 68, Girls on the run creates a community dedicated to uplifting and helping others. The organization even has a blog dedicated to building a positive community. A recent post features details about the importance of being compassionate towards yourself. While this certainly is a message we try to convey to our girls, it is also an article that can teach coaches a thing or two. This is just one of many examples of how volunteering for Girls on the run develops me as a person while I work to help my girls learn and grow.
I hope you can all find a way to grow positively from your service learning experience. Here's to a great semester!
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