Message from the Executive Director
Imagine yourself in a place of belonging.
This is what Girls on the Run provides for the girls on our teams. The desire to belong is deep within all of us. I am so proud to be a part of Girls on the Run San Diego, where we are meeting that need for over 1,400 young people every year.
By intentionally creating a community of belonging and empowerment, we offer a brave space where team members can be their authentic selves and grow in confidence. They learn how to employ that confidence in the real world: skills to stand up for themselves and others, give and accept help when needed, replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations – skills they carry with them into adulthood.
YOU can be a part of this meaningful mission by supporting our upcoming Giving Tuesday efforts. Simply click here to donate. Your support means so much to all of us at GOTRSD, and to the girls of our county.
With gratitude,
Natasia de Silva
GOTRSD Executive Director
Welcome, Izabel!
Izabel joins GOTRSD as the new Program Operations Manager. A fluent Spanish speaker, she is the daughter of Salvadoran refugees and a first-generation college student. Her dedication to holistic development, success, retention, access, and equity is evident in her career trajectory within the non-profit and higher education sectors. Her work has assessed the issues that impact underrepresented youth and their families in the education pipeline. She believes that deep reflection, discourse, collaboration, action, and compassion are key elements of true Change.
Engaging in cross-cultural collaborations is critical in Izabel’s work, among them, Multicultural Programming and Civic Leadership. She is the founder of the Las Comadritas Project rooted in providing leadership development to Latina youth in the Sherman Heights/Barrio Logan area.
She is the co-founder of FHSAF, a non-profit scholarship philanthropic organization serving At Promise youth in one of the lowest-performing high schools in her hometown in South Central Los Angeles. While representing Latina leadership at Harvard University, Izabel participated in critical conversations with the first Latino Astronaut Jose Hernandez, Pulitzer Prize Author Junot Diaz, and award-winning Journalist Maria Hinojosa. She also coordinated a 3-day Peace Conference with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala. Izabel takes pride in serving communities and coordinated an annual service project during spring break in order for college students to learn about farm worker families in Bakersfield, CA; and practice civic engagement through voter registration precinct support alongside social justice figure Dolores Huerta, who along with César E. Chávez supported the establishment of the country’s first agricultural union.
Izabel’s favorite things: World travel/music, Lakers Basketball, graffiti art, Frida Kahlo, live concerts, telenovelas, activism, and spoiling the loves of her life—her nephew Andres and niece Ashley. Along with her husband Edgar, Izabel loves bike riding, donuts, Mexican cuisine, and immersing in the healing waters of Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca!
Help us in giving Izabel a warm welcome at her new GOTR email address, izabel@gotrsd.org.
Team Applications Are OPEN!
How wild that it’s almost 2024! A new year means a new GOTR Spring season - yay! We can’t wait to welcome all of our teams in the coming months as we prepare for our ‘comeback’ season after taking the fall to regroup. Our team applications will continue to be open until January 8th. Have questions about starting a team? Join our virtual team information session on Thursday, December 7th at 6 pm to learn more.
Coach Applications Are LIVE
Another exciting announcement! Coach Applications for the Spring 2024 season are now open! As a coach you will not only spark joy and build the self-worth of participants, but find your own joy in helping others, learning new skills, and meeting new, like-minded people.
No experience is required to join and be successful as a GOTR coach. You will be provided with the necessary training, supplies, and support from our team! Interested? Read through the Coach Roles and Responsibilities to see if this opportunity is right for you. The application will be shared on our various social media platforms and at www.gotrsd.org.
Get Your Holiday Wreath Making On With GOTRSD
Join us on Sunday, December 3 from 11 am to 1 pm at Vinya: vino and vinyasa for a holiday wreath making workshop with the lovely and talented Laura Kunoth of Bluebell Florals. Included in the ticket price of $65 are all materials for making your wreath, instructional time, and a drink ticket. All proceeds benefit GOTRSD. Space is limited so register today to secure your spot!
We are greatly appreciative of both Bluebell Florals and Vinya: Vino and Vinyasa for their generous support of this event!
Vinya: vino + vinyasa is the first ever yoga studio and wine bar with a full kitchen and retail boutique in one community space. We're your one-stop shop to take a yoga class, enjoy great food and drinks after class, and find great gifts for yourself or others while supporting small businesses. But don't worry...you don't have to do yoga to enjoy a good glass of wine, and you don't have to drink to enjoy delicious scratch-made food. Creating a community space was our main objective, and we are excited to host events for Girls on the Run!
Highlights From Our Community Event
We had a wonderful time bringing our GOTRSD community together on Sunday, November 12. Coaches, volunteers, staff, and board had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones through a shared breakfast, presentation on trauma-informed facilitation, and hike on the South Fork Trail at Torrey Pines.
Thank you to Hera Hub for hosting us, and to the generous GOTRSD supporter who underwrote the cost of the event. Lastly, thank you to Candi Kizer for sharing her expertise with our group and helping us to continue to learn and grow as we deliver this life-changing program to the girls of San Diego.
Volunteer for a GOTR Committee
There are so many ways to be involved with GOTRSD beyond coaching. We are looking for committee volunteers for the following committees:
Outreach Committee
Programs Committee
Communications/PR Committee
Development Committee
Substitute Coach Committee
5K Committee
Language Access Support Committee
Learn more about all the committees here!
Questions? Contact info@gotrsd.org.
Be a SoleMate for SD50 & Trail Runs
We have two bibs for the SD50 & Trail Runs on January 13, 2024. Become a SoleMate for GOTR to claim one of the bibs!
As a SoleMate, you’ll have access to:
- A personalized online fundraising page
- Resources to help you be a superstar fundraiser
- One-on-one support from our Girls on the Run staff
- Branded SoleMates apparel and more!
Join the Oceanside Turkey Trot and Give Back to GOTR!
When you register for the Oceanside Turkey Trot, taking place on Thanksgiving morning, you can elect for $5 of your registration cost to go to GOTRSD! Select us as your nonprofit designee in the dropdown menu in the event registration. Learn more about the Turkey Trot here!
Support GOTRSD on Giving Tuesday
Please mark your calendars! This year Giving Tuesday falls on Tuesday, November 28th!
Join us on Giving Tuesday to empower girls! Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities. Please join in and consider making a donation or acting as an advocate for GOTRSD by asking your employer, your friends, and your family to support Girls On The Run San Diego and our programs inspiring girls throughout San Diego County to recognize and access their unlimited potential! Your donation can make a world of difference. Let’s support their dreams and aspirations. Give today and be part of the change! #GirlsEmpowerment #GivingTuesday
Look for our Giving Tuesday posts, goal announcements, and emails leading up to Giving Tuesday! If you would like to make your donation early, you can do so here.
Sharing Our Gratitudes
“As a coach (both GOTR and soccer), I'm grateful for the opportunity to inspire and guide young girls. Having an outlet like coaching to provide guidance and support is invaluable, especially when it wasn't part of my own upbringing. It's a privilege to give our daughters the opportunities and mentorship we may have missed, fostering their growth and well-being. Now, with my own daughters getting older, it's even more special. I get to teach them and their friends life lessons, teamwork, and the joy of pursuing their dreams. Coaching is not just a role; it's a gift, and I'm thankful for the chance to make a positive impact on their lives.”
Want to share your gratitude? You may just see it on social media this month!