Q & A with Girls in the Game

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Girls in the Game is a leading girls' health and fitness organization in Chicago that provides and promotes sports & fitness opportunities, nutrition & health education, and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of all girls. 

Check out our Q&A with Girls in the Game Marketing & Communications Specialist Jenika Faes to find out more about the program's roots, the girls who benefit from the program, and how you can support them!

Q:  Who founded Girls in the Game, when, and why?

A:  Girls in the Game actually began as “A Sporting Chance Foundation” in 1995 when a small group of women set out to ensure that girls in Chicago had access to sports and fitness opportunities. They recognized that their participation in sports as girls helped them develop the strength, voice, and confidence they needed to succeed as adults. The founders realized that despite the passage of Title IX, girls in Chicago had few opportunities to participate in athletics and experience the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. By 2000, A Sporting Chance Foundation was reaching 200 girls a year and growing fast. Girls needed sports and fitness programs, but they also asked for nutrition and health education, and leadership development workshops. In 2003, the girls helped the organization expand the mission to address overall health and change the name of the organization to "Girls in the Game".

Q: Who participates in the program? 

A: Girls in the Game works with more than 2,000 girls a year. We offer programming for girls ages 6-18 throughout Chicago and in the suburbs. Most of the girls in our programs are from schools and neighborhoods across Chicago where girls don’t have many opportunities to be healthy and active. Here are some quick stats that may give you a better idea:

Q:  What does a participant in your program get to do? 

A: At Girls in the Game, girls play sports, try new fitness activities, build leadership skills and learn about health. We have a variety of programs, and girls can stay involved year-round and from childhood through their teens. Our largest program is our After School program that we lead throughout the school year at 30 sites. After School runs throughout the school year. In the summer, girls can attend our five-week Sports and Leadership Summer Camp and play sports, learn how to make healthy choices, and build life-long friendships. Our Girls’ Advisory Board is where girls truly step up as leaders. They represent Girls in the Game at community events, meet with professional women and help advise the organization. Learn more at: www.girlsinthegame.org/programs.

Q: How can people contribute to and support Girls in the Game? 

A: There are many ways both women and men can get involved with Girls in the Game. Volunteers are key to our success, and we have opportunities for individuals and groups. We also accept donations on our secure website http://www.girlsinthegame.org. Donations are really an investment in our girls, and 80 percent of every donation goes directly to programming. There are also many other easy ways to make a difference with monthly giving, workplace giving, or just by doing business with some of our partner organizations. See more easy ways to give here www.girlsinthegame.org/easywaystogive.

Follow Girls in the Game on Twitter! @GirlsintheGame

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