Five Questions With: Michelle Duso

Michelle Duso joined Girls on the Run Rhode Island as executive director in July of 2013. Established in 2011, the nonprofit provides activity-based youth development programs that enhance the social, emotional and physical health of 8-13 year old girls, aiming to build well-being and confidence. Duso also is a principal of Power4Good, which provides capacity building consulting services to youth-focused and social justice nonprofits. Here she discusses what makes Girls on the Run Rhode Island effective.
PBN: How did the organization form?
DUSO:
In 2010, a group of women gathered to discuss the absence of, and need for, a program to empower elementary and middle school girls. Other after-school activities focus on one specific interest like dance, theater, sports, leadership or academics. Girls on the Run is a program that enhances social, emotional and physical well-being with a fun, interactive experience that integrates the importance of self-worth, physical activity and community engagement. Girls on the Run RI was established as a 501(c)3 organization in August of 2011 to respond to this need.
We are one of more than 225 independent councils affiliated with Girls on the Run International, which was established in North Carolina in 1996.
PBN: How many girls participate and what are the benefits they are seeing from your programming?
DUSO:
In our current fall season, we’re serving over 180 girls at 13 sites, with girls meeting in teams of 10 to 15 at sites throughout the state. We operate two seasons each year, and in our first three years we’ve served over 600 girls.
The benefits are numerous. Girls who participate in Girls on the Run explore topics such as redefining beauty, the building blocks of healthy relationships, the importance of nutrition and how to handle peer pressure and bullies. They also learn to set goals, create and deliver a community impact project and how to safely train to complete a 5k event.
These intentional, frank discussions and experiences of accomplishment empower girls to feel assurance in who they are, respond to themselves and others with care and compassion, create positive connections to peers and adults, and realize they can make a difference in their communities. Girls on the Run prepares girls to be joyful, healthy and confident as they navigate the often challenging realities of elementary and middle school.
PBN: Endurance running builds confidence. Can you give an example of a girl for whom the program has worked especially well?
DUSO:
Troya was 9 years old when she first participated in Girls on the Run. At first glance, Troya’s in an envious position: she’s smart, charming and is part of a supportive family. However, as she tells the story, her mom had to force her to participate at first. Troya struggled with bullies, was afraid of triggering her asthma with any physical activity and was worried about joining a program with kids she didn’t know.
She was bashful at first, and her coaches noted it took nearly half the season before she was an active participant in discussions. She struggled with the workouts, and required a lot of encouragement from teammates and coaches to complete them. She often wanted to give up.
But once she began to participate, Troya’s parents began to see small changes at home – fewer struggles to get to school, increased interest in spending time with friends, more willingness to play outside. When the day of the 5k arrived, it was raining buckets with no end in sight. Her parents expected Troya to balk when it was time to leave. To their amazement, she was instead enthusiastically pushing her family out the door.
Troya says that completing the Girls on the Run 5k gave her confidence to take on other challenges.
“I had never walked that far before,” she said. “Doing the 5k was the hardest thing I have ever done. When I crossed the finish line and got my medal, I just couldn’t stop smiling. Girls on the Run gave me the confidence to stick up for myself and to keep going even when I’m not sure I can.”
Troya has completed another season at the nonprofit, and says she can’t wait to join a third time. Confidence through accomplishment; one ingredient is the Girls on the Run special sauce!
PBN: Nov. 16 is the date for a 5K that many of your young women will participate in. How are you preparing for that?
DUSO:
The Girls on the Run curriculum creatively integrates running into each of the program sessions, with the workout reinforcing the day’s lesson of gratitude, problem solving, standing up for yourself and others. So, girls and coaches have been preparing for their celebratory 5k from day one, and we anticipate that all participants will take part.
Every girl will complete the event with a running buddy, someone who will support them during the run and encourage them to complete the course at their own pace. Whenever possible, girls identify an adult in their lives who will help them feel good about running, walking or skipping on the 5k course; when that’s not possible, we match them with a volunteer running buddy.
We’re also fortunate to have the Providence College Athletic Department as a community partner. Our fall 5k will be held on their campus, and will be supported by nearly 100 student athletes who send personalized messages to each participant and volunteer their time to support our girls on their big day. Our fall 5k is for program girls and their families, while our spring event also includes a public 5/10k and will be on May 31, 2015 in Roger Williams Park.
PBN: As a nonprofit, you fundraise through SoleMates. How does that work and how effective is it?
DUSO:
SoleMates are adult athletes who pursue individual athletic goals while fundraising for Girls on the Run RI. Women and men who register as a SoleMate receive individualized training plans, can participate in group workouts, and receive encouragement, motivation and other supports from our running and triathlon coaches. They also commit to raising money for Girls on the Run RI while training for the 5k, marathon, 10k, triathlon, century ride or other athletic event of their choice.
We launched our first SoleMates team this summer and had a wonderful response. The funds raised by our 2014 SoleMates allowed us to provide full scholarships to 21 girls. With more than 40 percent of our participants requesting financial assistance, and a commitment to never turn a girl away regardless of her ability to pay the program fee, funds raised by SoleMates athletes help us respond to this need in a big way. We’re enthusiastically preparing to welcome more SoleMates into the nonprofit family in 2015.

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