Welcome to our new quarterly newsletter "Hello, Superstar! A Newsletter from Girls on the Run-Chicago,” named after our brand-new curriculum that we will be rolling out this fall to all of the girls in our program. Each quarter we will feature a message from our Executive Director Jill Eid, and introduce you to one of our coaches, who are the heartbeat of our program, and a corporate or foundation partner who's partnership and support fuels our work. You will also hear from one of our board members, a staff member, and last, but not least, one of our girls, who are the heart and soul of our mission of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident!
We hope you enjoy this edition. Please share your thoughts and any questions with the editors Jess Snively, Communications and Marketing Manager, and Linda Tucker, Director of Development and Communications, at info@gotrchicago.org. |
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| A Message from Our Executive Director
Jill Eid |
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I'm thrilled that, Together We are celebrating 25 incredible years of Girls on the Run-Chicago! This year's theme, "Together We...," reflects the understanding that it takes a village to support our girls, with each of us playing an important role.
Having impacted more than 100,000 girls during this journey since 1999, I'm continually inspired by the self-assuredness and impact of both our current participants and alumni. Meeting our alumni—many of whom now serve as coaches, teachers, and business leaders—continues to reinforce the lasting impact of instilling confidence at an early age. Get ready for an inspiring year ahead as we share many of their stories with you! Here's to the next 25 years of nurturing powerful and confident women and girls!
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| Coaches Corner
Yessenia Jacome
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“Together, we grow, thrive, and make a difference!” |
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Meet Coach Yessenia Jacome, who has volunteered her time and talents as a GOTRC Coach for 11 years! Alongside her role as 2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher at Carl Von Linne Elementary School, she leads two Girls on the Run teams. Her journey as a coach is deeply rooted in her experiences as a first-generation Mexican American woman and her commitment to supporting girls, particularly those from migrant backgrounds. Growing up in a household where girls were discouraged from participating in sports, she sees coaching as an opportunity to challenge societal norms while providing a supportive space for girls to reach their full potential. Yessenia says, "In a world where many of our young people are getting inundated with conflicting ideas, I hope to provide a safe and welcoming space where girls can just be themselves. If I can plant a little seed of encouragement, I am good with that."
Witnessing the transformation of girls as they challenge negative self-talk and build confidence and friendships is immensely rewarding for her, and she said one girl's story particularly stands out. A newcomer from Ecuador, the girl faced numerous challenges adjusting to her new life in Chicago. However, through the support of her coaches and team, she found a sense of belonging, confidence, and support. In addition to providing essential gear and supporting her and her family with essential resources, Yessenia and her coaching team offered her the opportunity to participate in something beyond academics, where she could see herself as healthy and confident. Through her dedication and compassion, Yessenia exemplifies the impact of Girls on the Run in creating an environment where girls from diverse backgrounds feel heard, seen, and valued.
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From left to right: Coach Edy, Destiny, and Daniela at the GOTRC 5K in 2019 |
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“Together, we can preserve through challenges in our life.” |
“Something I would tell my 10-year-old self is that things might have been hard in the past, but as we get older it gets easier, so don’t give up, keep pushing,” said 15-year-old alum Daniela, who participated in Heart & Sole for two seasons at Lincoln Elementary in Cicero. We often hear from coaches how girls experience a transformation while going through the program, and Daniela can attest to this transformation firsthand. We chatted with Daniela and her Coach Edy, GOTRC’s own Impact Coordinator, about the importance of having a safe space and the impact that achieving big goals can have on your confidence.
Daniela said that before joining the program, she was shy and was experiencing problems at home. She said that at first, going to practice was a nice distraction, but when she finished her first 5K, she realized that she had grown and had a place where she could be herself. Daniela says, “I started pushing myself more and got out of my comfort zone. I started being more confident and open, and I started seeing myself express myself more.”
As a sophomore, she continues to draw from the lessons. She said she thinks of The Girl Wheel often, because each of the pieces—heart, social, body, spirit, and brain—have meaning in her life, and she uses it to navigate obstacles. |
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| The GOTRC Team
KaMia Watson, Operations Associate
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The Girls on the Run-Chicago 5K is coming up on May 11 in Grant Park, so we sat down to chat with our 5K event manager KaMia Watson, GOTRC’s Operation Associate since November 2022, to learn more about what makes the 5K so magical. KaMia plays a crucial role in enhancing the experience for both runners and spectators, doing everything from organizing more than 250 volunteers to managing logistics with Grant Park.
Her dedication is fueled by her passion for making a difference in people's lives, and she finds joy in bringing movement and sports to girls. At the 5K finish line, she loves seeing the culmination of everyone’s hard work. She said, “I cried two or three times at the 5K! It’s amazing to see it all come together—how the girls make the effort for 10 weeks and then put it all into action.” Since joining GOTRC, she’s become inspired to set a personal goal of running a 5K—her favorite running song is “Keep Movin,” by Jungle—and is relying on the support and accountability of her GOTRC team members. |
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In other GOTRC team news, as of November 2023, we are thrilled to welcome Linda Tucker as our Director of Development and Communications! We are happy to say that former Director of Development and Communications Mollie Anderson is still on the team, and is now our Director of Operations. We are so excited for them both! |
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| Our Board
Emily Milman,
Board Chair
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“Together, we learn and grow.” |
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Emily fell in love with Girls on the Run-Chicago as a parent. When her oldest daughter Lauren joined the program in 2018, she was inspired to become a coach, and continued with her younger daughter Callie, serving two seasons. She felt the experience was transformative, as coaching not only strengthened her bond with her daughters but provided a unique dynamic for them. Emily shared, “They didn’t treat me like Mom in that setting. I was Coach, and we enjoyed experiencing the curriculum together alongside their teammates.” Reflecting on her favorite GOTR memory, Emily recalls the camaraderie and sense of accomplishment the girls shared during their first full team 5K, and the joy and pride she felt running alongside both her daughters as they crossed the finish line for the first time.
Now as the Board Chair, leading our 23-person Governing Board, Emily is excited about GOTRC's work in centering girls in underserved communities, providing them with free programming and resources, and making a bigger impact with those who need it most. She loves that the curriculum emphasizes embracing the journey rather than fixating on perfection, a lesson she wishes she could impart to her younger self. Emily envisions a future where girls can fully embrace mistakes as part of their journey toward growth and self-discovery.
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| Our Partners
Lauren Duer,
West Monroe
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Lauren in center with West Monroe staff volunteering at a Chicago Area Runners Association Go Run with GOTRC |
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“Together, we build the next generation of leaders.” |
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West Monroe has been a strong partner to Girls on the Run-Chicago since our founding, and as an Associate Board member and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Lead at West Monroe, Lauren has been working to make our relationship even stronger since 2016. As West Monroe’s charity programming has become more focused on making a tangible impact in communities, Lauren and the team of employees supporting Girls on the Run have threaded the needle across the entire organization, bringing folks together to volunteer at events like 5Ks, recruiting an additional Board member, working with teams on pro bono projects, supporting GOTRC on West Monroe’s Day of Service, hosting GOTRC events, and much more.
Lauren says that this impact is underscored by Girls on the Run-Chicago’s strategic realignment toward centering girls in under-resourced communities, which aligns closely with West Monroe’s philanthropic pillars of building the next generation of leaders, increasing equity, and decreasing discrimination. She said, “Seeing the impact firsthand means a lot to me. It's one thing to volunteer offhand and attend events, but I really enjoy getting involved in the strategy and knowing where support is most needed.” Lauren hopes to deepen their engagement even further, continuing to broaden the organization's reach within West Monroe's community.
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| Save the Date
GOTRC's Upcoming Events |
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Please consider investing in our girls. Your support fuels our mission! |
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