Boys Run Thanks
Dear Editor: Thanks to incredible community support, Sitka’s eighth season of Boys Run I toowú klatseen was a huge success! Following 10 weeks of learning social and emotional skills necessary to build healthy relationships and communities, nearly 25 third- through fifth-grade boys ran a 5K fun run on Saturday, Dec. 10, accompanied by friends, family, and supporters. Boys Run works to combat Alaska’s high rates of suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault by teaching boys to recognize and process emotions, and connecting them to positive adult mentors and Southeast Alaska Native culture and traditional values.
Boys Run thrives in Sitka because of the amount of community support for the program. We at Sitkans Against Family Violence are thankful for our partners in the Pathways Coalition for coordinating this season of Boys Run I toowú klatseen: Youth Advocates of Sitka for providing a head coach, Sitka Counseling for coordinating the 5K and providing a coach, Sitka Conservation Society for coordinating the community service project and providing a coach, Sitka School District for providing coaches and crucial support throughout the season, and Sitka Tribe of Alaska for sharing motivating words and songs at the 5k to encourage participants before the run.
Thanks to Raven Radio, KIFW, and the Sitka Sentinel for allowing us to share Boys Run messages through their channels. Thanks to our funders the Council on Domestic Vioelnce and Sexual Assault, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, and the Association of Alaska School Boards. Thank you to AC Lakeside, Rising Tide Bakery, Northern Sales, and Backdoor Cafe for donating delicious drinks and food for our celebration, Russell’s for providing discounted shoes, Harrigan Centennial Hall for providing the 5K space, and Sitka National Historical Park for donating the park permit for the 5K. And thank you to the folks who came to help out at the 5K.
We appreciate our incredible coaches, who gave their time weekly to serve as positive role models and mentors for program participants. Thank you for engaging in this meaningful and important work and ensuring the success of the program.
Of course, Boys Run would not be what it is without the enthusiastic and engaged boys who participate in the program. We can’t thank this season’s participants enough for their commitment to their goals and community. We’ve seen them grow an incredible amount throughout the season, and trust that they’ll go forward to practice the healthy expression of emotions, teamwork, allyship, and celebrate cultural diversity throughout their lives. This growth would not have been possible without the continuous support of their parents and guardians. We greatly appreciate all of the reinforcement of the lessons behind the scenes, as well as all of the volunteering done by guardians at the 5K.
Sitka, thank you again for showing your care for and support of this community’s boys, and your dedication to helping them grow into respectful, inclusive boys who can express their emotions in a healthy way and support their community.
If you’re interested in getting involved with Sitka’s Boys Run I toowú klatseen next year, or its partner program, Girls on the Run, please contact Katie Niedermeyer at kniedermeyer@safv.org or 747-3493. We’re always recruiting coaches and we’d love to have you join us in this work! With gratitude,
Katie Niedermeyer,
Boys Run I toowú klatseen
Coordinator,
Sitkans Against Family Violence
