extracurricular programs

WISH provides several extracurricular programs to the community. These programs help children and youth develop social emotional skills and connect them with positive adult role models.

Girls On The Run’s mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Using both an interactive curriculum and running, The program is designed to work with girls’ emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental health. Girls on the Run is offered in the spring for 4th through 6th grade girls and is an 8 week after-school program addressing self-confidence, self-respect, and healthy life choices through an interactive curriculum and running. All program participants complete the program with a fun run 5K– an empowering non-competitive celebration.

Volunteer with Girls on the Run

WISH is always looking for Coaches and Running Buddies to help with the Girls on the Run spring seasons.

Coaches facilitate the lessons during the 8-week program and train with the girls to run the 5k at the end of the season. Running Buddies run with the girls during the final 5K event.

For more information, including volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact Adrienne Gaines at adrienne.g@wishak.org

Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. With a comprehensive curriculum that applies the power of running, the program encourages boys to develop their psychological, emotional and social health, in addition to their physical health. 

Twice a week for seven weeks, two trained volunteer coaches lead an elementary or middle school team through practice. Designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for others, each practice includes a lesson from the Let Me Run curriculum that incorporates running, games and activities. Each season culminates in a 5k race festival that celebrates the boys’ personal growth.

Volunteer with Let Me Run

WISH is always looking for volunteers interested in coaching Let Me Run. We host a season every spring. Coaches do not need to be strong runners, they just need to come with a positive and encouraging attitude.

For more information, including volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact adrienne.g@wishak.org

LeadOn! For Peace and Equality is a youth leadership program. Every year we recruit local teens to attend a three day conference in Anchorage where national and local speakers give presentations on various topics, such as healthy relationships, non-violence, leadership, positive choices and community involvement.

Youth plan and lead much of the conference. Past workshops include: “How to Start Your Own Leadership Program,” “Plan and See,” “Outdoor Leadership,” and “Let’s Talk About It: Teens Speak Out About Healthy Relationships.”

After the conference, youth return home and plan a project to impact their community in a positive way.

For more information contact Community Services Program Director at adrienne.g@wishak.org or call 907-228-4371.

Athletic coaches play an extremely influential and unique role in the lives of young men. Because of these relationships, coaches are poised to positively influence how young men think and behave, both on and off the field. Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is the only evidence-based prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength. As leaders themselves, athletes are given the tools and vocabulary they need to stand up for respect and influence their school’s culture.

WISH offers training and support to local high school coaches who want to utilize this program in their practices.

For more information, including volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, contact adrienne.g@wishak.org