One video features Elizabeth Kunz, chief executive officer of Girls on the Run International, a nonprofit organization that designs programming to strengthen third- through eighth-grade girls’ social, emotional, physical, and behavioral skills to help them successfully navigate life’s experiences. It highlights how organizations working on the ground with children every day can create meaningful change through initiatives such as evidence-based programming that supports young people’s overall well-being.
“Youth mental health isn’t a problem we can solve in isolation,” Kunz said. “At Girls on the Run, we see firsthand how young people thrive when they have trusted mentors, peer support, and opportunities to develop emotional and physical well-being. This challenge requires all of us, parents, educators, coaches, and leaders, working together to support every child’s unique needs.”
A second video features Breanna Sullivan, a coach and alum of Girls on the Run. It emphasizes the importance of trustworthy mentors and creating welcoming environments to help kids build the skills and confidence they need to thrive.
“Today’s young people are navigating unprecedented and complex challenges — in school, at home, online, and everywhere in between,” said Glen Weiner, executive director of the Coalition to Empower our Future. “What gives me hope is seeing organizations like Girls on the Run who are helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to feel supported and resilient, while simultaneously building healthy habits. Programs like these are an important piece in a larger puzzle of the comprehensive solutions our kids need.”
Together, the videos underscore the shared commitment of Girls on the Run and the Coalition to Empower our Future to elevate real stories from the field, equip caring adults with practical tools, and advance comprehensive, community-based solutions that support youth mental health and well-being.
About Girls on the Run
Girls on the Run creates and offers empowering after-school programs designed for girls in grades 3 to 8. The nonprofit helps participants build confidence, increase physical activity, and develop life skills like managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and forming friendships. With the support of trained coaches, team members activate their limitless potential through a blend of physical activities and engaging lessons. The research-based curriculum explores topics relevant to 8- to 13-year-old girls, such as expressing empathy and standing up for oneself and others. The program includes a Community Impact Project and culminates with a celebratory 5K. Since 1996, Girls on the Run has served more than 2.7 million girls across all 50 states and Canada. Discover more at girlsontherun.org.
About the Coalition to Empower our Future
Coalition to Empower our Future is a newly formed organization bringing together a range of voices to fully inform solutions that empower youth, parents, communities, and society. The Coalition to Empower our Future supports solutions that are inclusive of the full spectrum of factors impacting youth mental health. Former Montana Governor Steve Bullock, former assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Family Services at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, January Contreras, and former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo serve on the board of directors of the Coalition to Empower our Future. Dr. Caroline Carney, a board-certified psychiatrist and internist, is a health executive and clinician who serves as an expert advisor to the coalition.
To learn more, visit empowerourfuturecoalition.com or follow Coalition to Empower our Future on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube.
