Girls on the Run of the Treasure Coast continues to pick up their pace as they help girls cross the finish line, empowered with the potential to change the world. The mantra of the nonprofit – “Girls on the Run: born to run” – is a metaphor for its mission to create a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential, boldly free to pursue her dreams.

Longtime board member Jessica Schmitt says she remembers the first race she ever finished and she’s rewarded by seeing the GOTR girls realize that same pride.

“That feeling of crossing the finish line just gave me so much confidence, and it spilled over into my personal and professional life,” she says. “When I found out about Girls on the Run and being able to give that gift to a girl at a young age, I just thought it would impact her entire future to have that confidence. That’s going to set the trajectory for her life. It’s something that’s going to stick with them forever.”

Scarlett Higgins joined GOTR as a fifth-grader, choosing her mother, Amy Higgins, as her running buddy. Two years later, the pair has participated in 17 races and look forward to hitting the pavement this coming season.

Initially hesitant to allow her daughter to participate because of asthma, Amy Higgins learned through research that running could help strengthen Scarlett’s lungs. It worked; Scarlett no longer has asthma. The two have also grown closer, improving their health while doing something they love.

“My GOTR experience was wonderful,” says Scarlett, who has shaved 10 minutes off her mile. “It was a lot of fun, and it inspired me to start running more. In GOTR they taught us all about girl power and how we are stars in our own ways.”

Amy remembers Scarlett’s pride as she crossed the finish line; validating the GOTR belief that girls can do anything they set their minds to.

“We are both eternally grateful for the program and hope it touches many other lives the way it did ours,” says Amy Higgins.

But running is just one part of the program, which last year locally served 200 girls in grades three through eight at seven elementary schools and three middle schools.

“While our name implies running, because it’s Girls on the Run, we’re truly an empowerment program,” says council director Jeane Bartlett, the only paid position in the volunteer-based group. “We teach the girls life skills and incorporate healthy physical activity as well, because we look at the whole girl.”

Before the girls warm up and head out to run, coaches work with 15-member teams using a research-based curriculum that focuses on developing each girl’s inner strength and confidence. Elementary- and middle school-aged girls meet twice weekly as a team for 90-minute sessions on topic-specific discussions and activities aimed at helping them reach their full potential.

The core tenants of the program are confidence, character, care, connections and competence, with a view toward developing self-worth, respect, responsibility, compassion and teamwork.

Schmitt says she was surprised by how much she herself learned. “When I had to read through the curriculum, it taught me a lot about communication, the values that I have, teamwork, taking time for self-care, pacing yourself and positive self-talk.”

The running component helps foster an appreciation for health and fitness, with girls setting lap goals for themselves and designing individual training programs that they feel comfortable with.

“We really are for every girl, because you don’t have to be an athlete,” says Bartlett. “We’re going to teach them in small increments and help them grow and set a goal.”

To demonstrate their achievements, the 10-week program culminates with each team completing a Community Impact project and all girls participating in a Celebration 5K.

“We teach them to connect with their community – find their inner strength, find their teamwork strength, and then reach out to the community and share their strength with the community,” says Bartlett.

“The girls walk away with an ‘I didn’t know I could do that’ type of growth. When we say a 5K is 3.1 miles, it’s kind of daunting. The program is about setting small goals and achieving them. We say forward is forward. It’s not about speed; it’s about what you accomplish. If you can do this, then you can really do most anything,” she adds.

Kim Nicholas, a middle school team coach for the past four years, says she has seen the benefits firsthand, adding that it’s a good age to teach the girls about supporting each other.

“I love what the program teaches girls about themselves, about life, about caring about themselves and making decisions for their futures. I’m a runner, and I know what running does for me spiritually and emotionally. It gives me time to think and process and sort things out in life, and I really want to pass that on to the girls,” says Nicholas.

The national program first sprinted into action with 13 girls 20 years ago in Charlotte, N.C., and this year expects to impact the lives of more than 200,000 girls, equipping them with the skills needed to find their passion and make a difference in the world.

More than 700 girls have participated in the local chapter, which was established in 2011 to serve Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties. Girls on the Run Treasure Coast is an independent council of GOTR International.

The program is funded through registrations, 5K sponsorships, grants and fundraising activities.

“We have never turned away a girl because of her ability to pay. We have a sliding scale fee to meet our families’ financial needs. If the family is unable to pay, we find a way,” says Bartlett.

The fall session online registration opened Aug. 27, sessions begin Sept. 17 and the 5K Celebration takes place Dec. 8.

For more information, visit girlsontheruntc.org.