The organization is reaching out to young girls at a time when health risks from inactivity and overeating have reached a near crisis point. GoGirlGo!’s website states that nationally:

  • 1 in every 6 girls is obese or overweight;
  • 1 in 3 teens gets pregnant;
  • 1 in 4 girls in grades 9-12 currently smokes;
  • 1 in 3 adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety or eating disorders;
  • 1 in 4 high school girls reports she does not like herself.

And according to the Women’s Sports Foundation, Chicago and Illinois girls rank worse than the national average on nine out of 14 health indicators including nutrition, teen pregnancy and sports team participation.

In response to these staggering numbers, GoGirlGo! launched a three-year campaign in Chicago last February, with the goal of getting 100,000 girls ages 8-18 active. According to Bushey, they’ve reached 19,000 girls so far.

Perhaps the most far-reaching component of GoGirlGo! is its $2.6 million grant program. Representatives from afterschool programs, sports groups, park districts and other organizations are able to apply for girl-friendly programs on their own turf.