This spring in Dedham, Massachusetts, a group of girls is learning to tackle the challenges of biking while building the skills they need to tackle the challenges of life.
“It’s wonderful because they not only learn a skill that can really benefit them later in life—being able to move and access different things through biking—but it also builds resiliency in kids. They learn that if something is hard, they keep trying, because they can succeed. It’s great to teach that at a young age,” Lukoff said.
When Dedham’s City Connects Program Manager Ali Lukoff heard about a program called Girls in Gear from her City Connects colleagues, she knew it would be perfect for students in her community.
Lukoff brought the idea to district leaders, who were able to find funding to bring Girls in Gear to Dedham’s Early Childhood Education Center. Now, once a week, a group of 10 girls in Pre-K and Kindergarten is learning about safe riding skills, emotional development, and building friendships.
“The program really focuses on helping girls become strong leaders. Even when it’s raining, they do other activities to learn about leadership, finding your voice, advocating, and resiliency,” Lukoff said.
Girls in Gear is a program that works with girls of all ages and abilities across the nation, using a comprehensive, age-appropriate curriculum that aims to help girls build a foundation of lifelong physical and emotional wellness.
“We envision a world where every girl moves through life with confidence, courage, and joy – on and off her bike,” the Girls in Gear website explains. “Biking gives girls an entryway to lessons and conversations about tapping into our feelings, trying new things even when they’re hard or scary, and being the boldest version of ourselves we can be.”
Based on the success of the program, Lukoff hopes Dedham can continue the partnership with Girls in Gear and potentially expand it to another school next fall.
“The kids really get excited at the end of the day when they know they’re going to go bike riding and learn and be part of the program. It’s going really well for them,” Lukoff said.
Dedham Public Schools’ City Connects Program Manager, Ali Lukoff, first learned about Girls in Gear at one of our Community Partner Panels and thought it would be a strong fit for students in Dedham. Hear firsthand from Coordinators, Program Managers, and Community Partners who attended the same Community Partner Panel Event, and learn how City Connects collaborates with partners to build effective new pathways for student and family support.
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