Wellfit Girls Annual Report 2020-2021 by wellfitgirlsSWFL

Annual Report LEADERSHIP | FITNESS | EMPOWERMENT

20 2 0 - 2021

A N N UA L RE PO RT 2019 -2020

L EA D ERS HIP FI TN ESS E M POWERMENT

W E L L FI T G IRL S

Message from the Executive Director Dear Wellfit Girls Community, First and foremost, I want to thank every person in our Wellfit Girls community for your dedication and support of our mission to inspire, challenge and empower teen girls to climb high in all areas of life through transformational leadership programs. The last year and a half has been difficult for our participants, families and the nation. Wellfit Girls has always created a safe space for students to receive leadership development, personal growth, and mental health support by coaching to overcome challenges and obstacles during multiple phases of their lives. We knew the isolation and stagnancy of the pandemic required us to step up to meet the deeper needs of our students. During the last year, we understood the importance of girls having the option to meet in person again. We consulted with partner organizations and did research to come up with a safe and successful way to meet in person for both our Wellfit Adventure Camp and our Summit Sisters programs. Although the pandemic significantly changed our plans for growth, we were still able to serve more girls this year than ever before. We realized the importance of continuing to offer coaching and mental health support during these tumultuous times and that allowed us to reconnect with a host of thriving Wellfit Girls alumnae. This reconnection prompted a new initiative for us: the Wellfit Girls Alumni Advisory Council. This Council is made up of 9 alumni who are eager to support the organization and its growth. They will identify ways to create a connected alumni network, establish an alumni scholarship for incoming students, and offer a valuable, ongoing participant perspective for discussions around program growth. Wellfit Girls went through some major leadership transitions this year both with staff and the Board. We have also made a new and exciting expedition partnership with Montana Wilderness School to offer backpacking expeditions to girls as part of their program experience. To fulfill our dream to create sustainable programming, expand and build our impact, and ultimately serve more girls, we need your support. Our goal is to serve 1,111 girls by 2025. To accomplish that we need to create sustainable funding sources that will help us get there and maintain the work we want to accomplish. Our vision is that all teen and pre-teen girls believe they can overcome c h a l l e n g e s , d o h a rd t h i n g s a n d c han g e the wor ld. We are excite d to b e wo rk ing t hro u g h st rate g i c p l a n n i n g to d ete r m i n e h ow to i m p l e m e nt n ew p ro g ram options to e nha nce a nd e l o ng ate o p p o rt u n i t i e s fo r g i r l s f ro m g ra d e 6 a l l t h e way t h ro ug h t h e i r s e n i or ye ar of high scho o l a nd b eyo nd . We a re u l t im ate ly d i s c us s i n g ways to c re ate f ul ly s us t a i n a b l e p ro g ra m mi n g that w ill help u s ex p a nd l o ca lly a nd b eyon d . To fo l l ow o ur s t rate g i c p l a n n i n g p ro ce s s , fo l l ow us o n s oci al media @wel l fitg irls a nd sig n u p fo r o u r mo nt h ly n ews l et te r at o ur we b s i te , w w w.we l l f i tg i r l s . o rg . Help us chang e t he wo rl d , o ne g irl at a t im e . Your s in Adve nt u re ,

Brooke Spencer Executive Director

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

OUR MISSION To inspire, challenge and empower teen girls to climb high in all areas of life through transformational leadership programs.

W E L L FI T G IRL S

PROGRAM PILLARS

L EA D ER S HIP D E V E LOPME NT F IT N ES S T R A INING H O L IS TIC W E LLB E ING P ER S ONA L GR OW T H S O C IA L ENT R E PR E NE UR S HIP

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

OUR CORE VALUES S AFETY I NTEG RITY RE S ILIENCE T ENACITY AUTH E NTICITY COU R AG E G ENERO S ITY 6

W E L L FI T G IRL S

THEORY OF CHANGE IF WE build positive relationships with youth; provide fitness and leadership training to expand their confidence; offer cultural immersion, outdoor adventure and experiential learning opportunities to broaden interpersonal skills; raise aspirations and prepare them mentally, physically and emotionally to overcome past, present and future obstacles,

T H EN

they experience increased empowerment and self-acceptance; physical fitness and holistic wellbeing; courage and resiliency; gratitude, empathy and compassion; optimism and connectedness,

W HICH R ESULTS IN empowered leaders who have unlimited possibility and a belief they can BE anything they want (brave, hardworking, generous, hopeful, free, curious and happy); thereby creating self-reliant adults committed to healthy lifestyles, global awareness and positive social change.

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

AAbout BOU TGirls Wellfit Wellfit Girls is a Naples, FL-based 501(c)(3) organization that operates in Collier and Lee Counties. Wellfit Girls was founded in 2014, received 501(c)(3) designation in 2015, and formally expanded into Lee County in 2017. The organization offers a fitness and leadership-based curriculum for teen girls who are in-need and at-risk to meet their full potential. The curriculum is designed to offer a combination of physical, mental, and interpersonal challenges, including conflict resolution, vision and goal-setting, leadership, and improved body image, to inspire each girl to step out of her comfort zone as a confident and empowered leader. Personal training, running, yoga, and nutrition coaching are intentionally incorporated into the curriculum to teach a healthy lifestyle; the connection between mind, body, and spirit; body alignment posture and self-presentation skills.

W E L L FI T G IRL S

WHO Who Are The Wellfit Girls Program participants are academically capable teen girls from area middle and high schools in Collier and Lee Counties. Participants have faced challenges ranging from extreme poverty to secondary language acquisition to significant wellness and fitness deficiencies, anxiety or depression. Moreover, teenage girls in general are known to struggle with long-term personal difficulties related to feelings of self-worth and belonging. Girls complete a registration and meet with the team to determine their needs, strengths and challenges before the program starts. While there is the opportunity for girls to fundraise meaningful portions of their program fees, our bigger vision is to offer scholarships to ensure no girl is turned away from the opportunity to be exposed to this incredibly powerful curriculum. To date, a large majority of Wellfit Girls participants have received scholarship support. Participating girls, as a function of their involvement, are required to personally fundraise a percentage of the costs; this is an intentional piece of the curriculum that prioritizes accountability, leadership, and social entrepreneurship. We have an active alumnae program, Beyond the Summit, that offers opportunities for service events, connection with program leaders and additional chances for adventure-based experiential learning. Wellfit Girls connects teen girls from across a broad spectrum of socioeconomic backgrounds, regional geographies, and personal experiences. Even in our relatively short organizational history we can be confident in the longterm benefits of the evidence-backed curriculum.

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

NEED The Need Teen girls are faced with social pressures of body image, peer pressure, substance abuse, high levels of stress, anxiety and depression, which directly impacts their decision making, self-esteem, relationships, social and emotional behaviors, desire to take on leadership roles and community involvement. According to the Heart of Leadership, 1 in 4 girls have depression, eating disorders and other mental or emotional disorders. Low self-esteem, depression and anxiety are global issues with high prevalence in this population, having a huge impact on our local high school girls’ ability to realize their full potential.

and online platforms, yet the most isolated, interpersonally, which is a contributing factor to depression, suicide and anxiety. In her TED talk, “Connected, but alone?” Harvard professor, Sherry Tuckle says, “Human relationships are rich and messy and they are demanding and we clean them up with technology; and when we do that, one of the things that can happen is that we sacrifice conversation for mere superficial connection.”

Studies show 79% of girls opt out of important life activities – such as trying out for a team or club, running for student government and engaging with family or loved ones – when they don’t feel good about the way they look.

Feelings of loneliness and a lack of belonging create an environment that promotes higher levels of depression and anxiety in our youth today and when students face mental health challenges it negatively impacts school attendance, increasing the risk for behavioral difficulties, substance use, obesity, highrisk sexual behavior, academic difficulties, high school dropout and suicide.

This upcoming generation is the most connected cohort in the history of the human population, across cultures and nations, through digital media

If not addressed in their critical teen years, these mental health challenges and insecurities can stay with them through adulthood.

W E L L FI T G IRL S

“Human relationships are rich and messy and they are demanding and we clean them up with technology; and when we do that, one of the things that can happen is that we sacrifice conversation for mere superficial connection.” - Sherry Tuckle, Harvard Professor

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

SO LU T ION The Solution With adventure-based challenge programs, experiential education and interpersonal relationship coaching, the girls develop personal resilience, a collaborative spirit, physical and emotional fitness, as well as self-love and confidence. We cultivate a sense of community through belonging and inclusion. We create realtime connection. Challenges are intentionally presented throughout the program to encourage cooperative solutionseeking and personal resilience. We want participants to see challenge as an opportunity for transformation, not merely an obstacle to overcome. We are about amplifying each girls’ voice and minimizing the risks for mental health and psycho-social issues. We believe girls need to know they can speak up, lead and be rewarded for their courage and authenticity. We have a holistic approach to well-being. We emphasize self-love and body image not as an ideal, but as a unique and authentic expression of each individual.

W E L L FI T G IRL S

WELLFIT GIRLS AIMS TO:

• Create healthy lifestyles and habits at an early age

• Increase understanding of self-care needs • Increase self-esteem and body positivity • Build self-confidence • Improve mood and daily attitude • Improve relationships with peers and adults • Provide tools to manage and lower levels of stress at school and home

• Provide tools to fight off depression through exercise and meditation

• Cultivate a sense of community to feel belonging and inclusion

• Create connection with others

Fitness, running, stretching and strength-training lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle positively impacting levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mental health. Other known benefits of exercise include:

and fight off depression. Learning how to work out with others, encouraging and inspiring each other is a cornerstone to fighting off isolation and building self-confidence.

• Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural “happy chemicals”

• Lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol • Stimulating the neurotransmitter

norepinephrine, which improves mood, increases self-esteem and body positivity

• Helping teens sleep better Research shows that early interventions in health, fitness and nutrition are critical to incorporating lifelong healthy behaviors and improved mental health and wellness. Wellfit Girls alumnae regularly report that incorporating fitness into their lifestyles during and after Wellfit Girls is an empowering and effective way to manage stress

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

2020-2021 PROGRAMS

“To put it simply, Wellfit Girls is what I look forward to every year, I love it. It is my motivation. I wouldn’t have known I was lacking growth and blocking myself from stepping into leadership if it hadn’t been for Wellfit Adventure Camp. I personally think that the more time I spend working on myself, the stronger a leader I can become.” Jaela O’Meara WAC 2020

W E L L FI T G IRL S

WAC WELLFIT ADVENTURE CAMP Wellfit Adventure Camp (WAC) offers a unique opportunity for middle school girls to participate in three weeks of leadership, fitness and empowerment curriculum. Daily camp activities include creative selfexpression, personal discovery, yoga, fitness, meditation, team building games, connection and fun! The camp culminates with a multi-day expedition where girls hike, do yoga, play games, cook their own meals, connect with each other, nature and most importantly themselves. In July 2020, we safely and successfully completed a 5-day hiking expedition in Georgia with our campers.

SSUMMIT S SISTERS Summit Sisters is Wellfit Girls’ signature 5-month leadership, fitness and empowerment program for high school girls in Collier and Lee Counties. Girls have the opportunity to participate in Summit Sisters each year from grade 9 to grade 12 to dive deeper into the curriculum concepts and compound on their unique leadership styles. Participants meet twice weekly, January through May, for leadership and fitness group sessions. Each year, the program culminates with a multiday expedition in June to different mountainous regions of the United States (Colorado, Montana, Utah, etc.). The purpose of this program is to build deep relationships with youth, provide in-depth leadership training and create a safe space for girls to connect with nature, each other and most importantly, themselves. In June 2021, we successfully completed an 8-day backcountry hiking expedition in the Tobacco Root and Pioneer mountains of Montana with our Summit Sisters.

“I am out of my shell and have a deeper connection with myself. I am no longer concerned with other people’s opinions. I didn’t expect to gain so much motivation with this program, but I found myself managing my time better to fit Wellfit Girls, school, and work into my schedule.” Gioia Bonanno Summit Sisters ’20 & ’21

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

MIA MENTORS IN ACTION Mentors in Action is an opportunity for alumnae who want to dive deeper into the Wellfit Girls leadership, fitness and empowerment curriculum, serve as a mentor and put what they have learned into action. Mentors in Action is open to any rising senior who has completed Summit Sisters. Due to the popularity of this program, we are also accepting college-aged alumnae to serve as mentors. Girls may apply to be a mentor for Wellfit Adventure Camp (WAC) and Summit Sisters.

“I really enjoy connecting with the girls and getting to know them better. I feel confident in my mentor role and feel very supported by the leadership team.” Stevie Curcio Summit Sisters ’18 & ‘20 | WAC Mentor ’20 & ‘21 | Summit Sisters Mentor ’21

“It’s been a good experience to have a different role in the group after being a participant. I’m learning more and more about how to be an effective mentor. I enjoy watching them all grow and help leading them through the Wellfit Girls program.” Sara Sullivan Summit Sisters ’18 & ‘20 | Summit Sisters Mentor ’21

W E L L FI T G IRL S

“The leaders encouraged Molly through fitness and group meetings to be her best self and opened her eyes to possibilities she wouldn’t have known. She has come to love fitness, especially yoga.” - Wellfit Girls Parent

A N N UA L RE PO RT 2019 -2020

SERVE Who We Serve 2020-2021 Wellfit Girls Participants by County COUNTY

# OF PARTICIPAN T S

S C H OLARS H IP

% OF S C H OLARS HI P S

Collier County

Full Scholarship

58%

Lee County

Partial Scholarship

TOTAL

No Scholarship

35 %

TOTAL

1 00%

Grade Breakdown GRA DE

Race Breakdown

# OF PARTICIPAN T S

RAC E

African American, Black

7% 3%

6 - 8 Grade

9th Grade

American Indian, Native American or Caribbean Islander

10th Grade

Hispanic, Latino

20%

11th Grade

Multi-Racial

10 %

12th Grade

White, Caucasian

5 8%

Other

As i a n Am er i c a n

TOTA L

10 0 %

Scholarship Breakdown

W E L L FI T G IRL S

IMPACT Our Impact Since our founding in 2014, more than 200 girls have benefitted from Wellfit Girls. In that time, we have expanded our core program from Collier County to include Lee County, secured key community partnerships including United Way of Lee County, United Way of Collier and the Keys, Fort Myers High School and PACE Center for Girls Lee County, expanded programming to include a successful middle school summer camp, and established the viability and impact of the program. Girls who successfully complete our program are more likely to:

• • • •

• display improved public speaking and other

assume leadership roles in their schools,

metrics related to self-confidence,

achieve successful college matriculation,

• maintain better relationships with peers and

seek out volunteer engagement, demonstrate long-term commitment to physical wellness and fitness,

adults.

Formal assessments indicate improvements in measures related to trust, empathy, emotional control, academic motivation, and school bonding, all measures of improved resiliency. Studies show that resiliency is a better indicator of long-term success than IQ.

DATA

Number of Participants Served Since 2014

Number of Girls Served

2014

2015

2016

2017 Year

2018

2019

2020

2021

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

DATA & OU TCOM ES Program Data Collection We re ce ntly noticed a val uabl e o pp or t u nit y to s hif t our program data co l l ec tio n pro cess to p rov id e u s w i th more in-depth, acc urate dat a m e a su re d at m u lti p le p oi nts thro ugho ut the prog ra m d u rat ion. T h e type s of data we c ho se to colle c t f rom p a r t icipants th i s year inc l uded their mot ivat ion to le a d , l e ad e rsh i p sel f-effic acy, resil iency fa c tor s , su b je ctive we ll- b e ing and qual itative dat a b a s e d on te st im on i al of th e pro grams.

Mot ivat ion to Le ad (MTL) i s d ef i ned a s , “a n i nd i v i d u a l d i f ferences co ns t r u c t th at affe c t s a l e a de r’s or l ead er-to-be’s d eci si o ns to a s s u m e l ea d er s hi p t ra i ni ng , ro l es , a n d re sp o ns i bilit ie s , a n d that af fect hi s or her i ntens i t y of ef fo r t at l ea d i ng a nd per s i s ten ce as a l e ade r.

T h e qu a lit at ive d ata we col l ected at t he end of t he p ro g ra m co nc l u d ed t hat p art icipa nt s l ef t wi th k nowl ed ge of f i t nes s a nd hea l t h b ehav i o r s t hat c a n co nt r ib u te to h e a lt h ie r h a bi ts i n the l ong term, enha nced l ea d er s hi p s ki l l s , hi gher s el f- co nfid e n ce , co nflict re s oluti on sk i l l s and i mproved peer rel at i o ns hi p s . As we look to enhance thi s d ata co l l ec t i o n pro ces s i n t he f u t u re, we a re d eve lo p in g ways to in clud e faci l i tator feed bac k a nd b et ter a l i g n t he m ea s u rem ent s w i t h inte n d e d p ro gra m m at ic outcomes. * Dat a wa s col l ected f i ve ti mes over a 5- m o nt h per i o d u s i ng a c u s to m s u r vey to o l 20

W E L L FI T G IRL S

S u bj ect ive We ll-Be ing i s d ef i ned by how i n d ividu a ls eval uate or apprai se thei r ow n l i ves ; T h e de g ree to whi ch a person eva l uate s h e rs or h i s l i fe and current si tuat i o n a s g o o d a n d de s i rabl e, versus und esi ra bl e a nd n e g at ive . T h e se eval uati ons can be d ef i ned e i th e r in te rm s of cogni ti ve ref l ecti o ns , repre s e nt in g reflecti ve apprai sal s of l ife a nd d o ma in s of life such as work , or i n ter m s of p o sit ive affe ct. Sub je c t i ve Wel l-Bei ng O utcom es: Increased health a nd l o ng ev it y | Po sit ive affe c t | As s o c i ate d w i t h j oy, l i fe s at i s fa c t i o n , h o p ef ul n e s s , a n d opt i mi s m

Leader shi p S el f- Ef f i c acy i s d ef i ne d as, “a n i nd i v i d u a l’s co nf i d ence i n her ab ilit y to c a r r y o u t neces s a r y l ea d er s hi p b e h av io r s, s u c h a s d el egat i ng , m a ki ng d ec i s io n s, an d m ot i vat i ng ot her s .”

We m e asu re d the fo l l owwing five fa c tor s of re silien ce: e quanimity (a bal anced p e r sp e ct ive of on e’s l ife and exper iences), p e r s eve ran ce (b e i ng abl e to keep go ing d e sp ite d iff i culti e s) , sel f-rel iance (the bel ief in ones e l f an d on e’s c apabil ities), meaning f u lne ss (fe e li n g th at life has a pur po se and life is val uable) , an d existential al o neness ( s e nse of un i qu e n e ss , feel ing of freedo m).

High Resi l i ency c an l ead to: Positive emotion s | B et te r re g u l at io n of ne g ati ve e m ot i o n s | Le s s d e p re s s i ve sy m pto m s | G re ate r re s i s t an ce to s t re s s | B et te r re l at io nsh i p s w i t h c a re g i ve r s | Ac a d e m i c e n g a g e m e nt

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LEADERSHIP TEAM

JWheeler IL L

Founder & Creative Visionary Officer; Consultant

AVOR IE Anderson Program Facilitator

COLBY Robertson Co-Founder

BROOK Spencer E Executive Director

TAYLO R KENDALL Faur Klein Program Facilitator

Volunteer Program Facilitator

W E L L FI T G IRL S

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” - Wayne Dyer

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BOAR D 2020 - 2021 Board of Directors

PRES IDE N T

V IC E PRES I D E NT

DEBRA Frenkel

NANNETTE Staropoli

Freedom Waters Foundation

ContentClix

SECRETARY & FOUNDER

TREASURER & CO-FOUNDER

DIRECTO R

JILL

COLBY Robertson

DR.Mandeville ASHLEY

Wheeler

Jill Wheeler Wellness

W E L L FI T G IRL S

Practice Yoga

Florida Gulf Coast University

DIR ECTO R

DIRECTOR

RIO

HEATHER Border

SARAH Holten

DeArmond-Wilson

Alliance Global Advisors

HKS Architecture Inc.

HONORARY BOARD MEMBER DIR ECTO R

SHIRLENE Elkins John R. Wood

ANDREW Miranti The Village School

L to R: Founding Board Members Colby Robertson, Andrew Miranti, Jill Wheeler

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VOLUNTEERS Volunteers

Avorie Anderson, WG ‘17

Heather Viniar

Mary Behr, WG ‘19

Amy Voelkl

Stevie Curcio, WG ‘18 & ‘20

Riley Zuccarello, WG ’14

Laura DalSanto Wu

Angela Sanders

Lila Kirkman WG ‘19

Nicksie Lordeus, WG ‘20

Kendall Klein WG ‘14

Carlos Gonzalez

Andrea Luviano, WG ’18, ‘20 & ‘21

Jackie Bingham

Lianne Martin

Laura Paradiso

Martha Meyers

Sofia Herrero, WG ‘19 & ‘20

Justin Moomaw

Jada Johnson

Julio Morel

Jennifer Nelson

Natalie Bradley

Corinne Wyard

Matt and Melissa Neubek

Cara Lahti

Evelyn Pacheco, WG ’14

Laurel Fournier

Chanel Pinder

Ashlynn Reeder

Brittany Price

Gale Steckler

Amanda Rauktys

Marcie Charles

Evelyn Sevilla

Michelle Mambuca

Annie Spencer

Robbie Spencer

Sara Sullivan, WG ‘18

Colby Robertson

W E L L FI T G IRL S

PARTNER S In-Kind Donors + Community Partners Allegra Marketing

Laces of Love

Fitness

Athleta

LEKI

Bella Diva Fitness

Bill and Martha Meyers

United Way of Lee County

Black Diamond Bronwen Jewelry Copper Creative

Neubek Photographers

Jill Wheeler Wellness BKS Yoga

North Collier Regional Park

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

Elevate Training

PACE Center for Girls, Lee County

Enterprise

Practice Yoga

Montana Wilderness School

Ficarra Design Associates

Publix

Eat the Frog Fitness

Shaklee

Mindful Mindz

Sun Leaf

Pure Skill Fitness

Swinging with Purpose

Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center

Tailormade

Ushood

Elephant Creative Co.

Fort Myers High School HBK CPAs & Consultants Jumpanzee

SPONSORS Corporate Sponsors + Donors Barron Collier Companies

Neubek Photographers

Bronwen Jewelry

Southwest Florida Women’s Group

Calusa Bay Properties

Tacos & Tequila Cantina

Content Clix Executive Electronics Ficarra Design Associates HBK CPAs & Consultants

Alliance Global Advisors The Bowl Ionic Fitness Neopolotain Family

Jason’s Deli Jetpack Pest Solutions

Restore

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

DONORS

Charitable Donations $10,000 + Martha and Bill Meyers

Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation

Tacos & Tequila Cantina/Taco Bout Community Foundation

Ficarra Design Associates

United Way of Lee County

Martha Meyers

Swinging with Purpose

Paulette Kempfer

Alliance Global Advisors

$5,000-$9,999

$2,500-$4,999

*corporate match

Les Bolstad III

Deborah O’Brien

UBS*

Neubek Photographers

Heather Border

Joel Waltzer

Gail Steckler

$1,000-$2,499 Calusa Bay Properties Gar Duke and Nicole Friend Karen French Hamilton Family Charitable Fund HBK CPA’s & Consultants Southwest Florida Women’s Group Colby Robertson

Naples Cryo Ventures LLC. (Restore)

Collier County Women’s Bar Association

Jill Wheeler

Rio DeArmond-Wilson

Kiwanis Naples on the Gulf

Bronwen Lodato

Kim Keyer-Scott

Michelle Church

George Smith

Allegra FootPRINT Fund

Malcolm and Janette Eddy

Angela Kirkman

Eileen Collins

Diana Willis

$500-$999 Barry and Christine Holes

Chuck and Heidi Holley

Betty Blackwell

Barron Collier Companies

Executive Electronics

Elizabeth Rappaport

Laurie Leppo

Hamilton Self Storage Inc.

Bernie Beckman

Diversified Real Estate Group

W E L L FI T G IRL S

$250-$499 Jason’s Deli

Stephen Gordon

The Bowl

Regina Heldreth

Stacy O’Brien

Michael Wynn

Britton Family

Jackie Sereno

Jetpack Pest Solutions

Greg and Lori Malkowski

Ionic Fitness

Sue Rokela

David Eskenazi

Jordan Jaffe

William and Patricia Reilley

Jessica Merrill

Ashley Mandeville

Erin and Adam Ross

Maureen and Roger Parkinson

GRANTS Community Grants

K I WA NIS N APLES - ON -T HE-G U L F

CONTINENTAL WO M EN ’ S C LU B

O F G REAT E R FORT MYERS

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

FFinancial IN A NCIAL Summary FUND IN G BY SO UR C E

AMOU N T

Fundraising Events

$2 9,912

Program Income

$2 1,2 14

Individual Donations & Corporate Sponsorship

$87,15 4

Grants & PPP

$35 ,742

In Kind

$9,475

Scholarship Fund

$18,484

Student Fundraisers

$14,95 0

TOTAL REVENU E

$2 1 6, 9 3 1

USE O F FUN D S

AMOU N T

Program Services

$15 0 ,386

Fundraising

$1,2 40

Administrative & General

$6 3,0 88

TOTAL EX PENSES

$2 1 4,71 4

Program Services

29% Fundraising

W E L L FI T G IRL S

70%

Administrative & General

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SCHOLARSHIP Nancy Beckman Scholarship Congratulations

Gioia

Bonanno-Garcia,

the fourth recipient of the Nancy Beckman Scholarship. The Nancy Beckman Scholarship Fund, founded by her good friend Martha Meyers in November 2016, is awarded to one Wellfit Girl each year who represents and exemplifies Nancy’s tenacity and positivity to make her life and those around her better. The committee selected Gioia to be the recipient because of her determination, generosity and desire to climb high in all areas of life. “Wellfit Girls has taught me how to motivate myself and stand up for myself. My goals are to get healthier and be the best version of myself. My superpower is being able to bounce back easily after difficult situations.” - Gioia Bonanno-Garcia

SCHOLARS H IP Jane Waltzer Scholarship Francheska Matos is the third recipient of the Jane Waltzer Scholarship. The Jane Waltzer Wellfit Girls Scholarship Fund, founded by her husband and three daughters in 2018, is awarded to one Wellfit Girl each year who represents and exemplifies the true characteristics Jane Waltzer embodied. The committee selected Francheska to be the recipient because of her strength and determination. “Wellfit Girls has taught me work ethic, teamwork, responsibility and time management. My goal for this year is to be able to take responsibility for myself and be better with scheduling. My superpower is that I can always bounce back from everything.” – Francheska Matos

W E L L FI T G IRL S

SCHOLARS H IP Lis Nassberg Scholarship Congratulations to Mercedes Henningham, the second recipient of the Lis Nassberg Scholarship. The Lis Nassberg Wellfit Girls Scholarship Fund, founded by her best friend, Nannette Staropoli, in 2019, is awarded to one Wellfit Girl each year who represents and exemplifies the true characteristics Lis embodied. The committee selected Mercedes, a student at Fort Myers High School, to be the recipient because of her quiet strength and curiosity. “Wellfit Girls has taught me how to be more myself and be proud of myself. My goal this year is to pass all my classes and become a better me. My superpower is being able to skate back from anything I go through..” – Mercedes Henningham

SCHOLARS H IP Sandra Sommer Scholarship Vivian Nuñez is the first recipient of the Sandra Sommer Scholarship. The Sandra Sommer Wellfit Girls Scholarship Fund was founded by her niece, Martha Meyers. Martha initiated this scholarship to celebrate her aunt – a classy, fun, loving, warm lady who taught her the value of family, love and community. The committee selected Vivian for this scholarship with the hope that she experiences the same sense of family, love and community through Wellfit Girls. “Wellfit girls has taught me to be more open. My goal for this year is to be healthy and fit. My superpower is my determination.” - Vivian Nuñez

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

W E L L FI T G IRL S

82%

went on to college/ university or armed forces

100%

LOOKI NG TO M AKE A DI F F E R E N CE ? Contact us if you want to sponsor a girl through our programs or create your own scholarship. Reach out to info@wellfitgirls.org for more information on how you can change a life today.

graduated from high school A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

E VEN T S Virtual Hop to the Top 5K April 3, 2021

*5K R UNNER LOCATI O N S ARE H I G H L I G H TE D I N B LU E

Due to the persisting, unpredictable conditions of COVID-19 in the beginning of 2021, we continued to host our annual Hop to the Top 5K virtually to allow walkers and runners from all around the U.S and the world to participate. We look forward to coming back together in-person to celebrate the Easter holiday weekend in 2022 and support our Wellfit Girls through their program journey. Thank you to everyone who walked, ran, and hopped their way to the finish!

W E L L FI T G IRL S

E V EN T S International Women’s Day March 8, 2021

O n Ma rc h 8 , 2 021 we cel ebrated I nte rn ati on al Wo men’s Day at No r th C olli e r Re gi onal Par k with co mmunit y m e m b e rs for a gro up fitness and yo ga slow- f low c l ass. C hanel Pinde r an d L aura D alsanto Wu co -l ed this d o n ati on f i tn ess c l ass to benefit the We llf i t Gi rls Sc ho l ar ship Fund. The c l a s s was topped off with a sl owf l ow yoga class l ed by Prac tice Yo g a’s ve r y ow n B ri tt any Pr ice. Inter natio na l Wome n’s D ay is the cel ebratio n of t he s o ci al, e con omic , c ul tural , and po l it ic a l ac hi eve m e nts of wo men… and Wel l f it G ir l s! I n Dec em ber 2020, we ho sted the fir st eve r 7 HoliD ays of We llf it Week! This event wa s a d onat ionb ase d se ri e s of wel l ness and fitnes s a c t iv it ie s coordi n ate d by Wel l fit Gir l s with mu lt ip le p a r t ne r organ i z ati on s and vo l unteer s inc l ud ing C ha ne l P in de r, E levate Training, Eat the Frog F it ne s s , M indf ul Mi n d z, Tail o r made F itness, Be lla Diva F itn e ss, P u re Skil l Fitness and Pract ice Yog a . T his we l ln e ss we e k began o n Sunday, D e ce m b e r 6 a nd we nt th rou gh Saturday, December 12 , w it h eve nt s h a pp e n i n g ever y day, inc l uding grou p f it ne s s , r u n n i n g, yoga, meditatio n, and bea c h f it ne s s c l a s se s.

EVEN TS 7 Holi-days of Wellfit

December 6th - December 12th

A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

2018

Meli & Matt Neubek

The Wellfit Girls Difference Maker Award was envisioned and created to recognize dynamic and generous leaders in Southwest Florida, who are making a difference in our community through their time, treasure and talent. 38

W E L L FI T G IRL S

2019

Laura DalSanto-Wu

2020

Ashlynn Reeder

HOW TO

How to get Involved Wellfit Girls provides a wide range of volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for supporters. We host several events throughout the year, including our Hop to the Top Easter 5K & Fun Run, Sunset Yoga, and our “Souper Bowl” fundraiser on Super Bowl weekend. Our volunteer committees meet regularly, devoting substantive in-kind contributions of time and talent. Sponsorships at any level are welcome, and we encourage donors to reach out to us to talk about what makes sense for your family or company. More information about the organization is always available on our website, wellfitgirls.org. We have printed materials available as well. We welcome you to attend an upcoming event, or simply reach out for a conversation about how to get involved at info@wellfitgirls.org.

INSPIRATION Our Daily Inspiration When girls feel physically empowered, supported by enhanced public speaking skills, improved confidence, and deeper selfdiscovery, their growth as leaders is markedly enriched. The girls experience themselves as stronger inside and out, and the world experiences them as more confident, empowered, and ready to lead. Participating girls will have experienced many vulnerabilities prior to program enrollment. This program addresses these vulnerabilities in foundational ways, elevating girls into the next phase of their lives. Studies have shown that facilitated experiences and nature-based adventure have a positive influence on teens, improving self-esteem and self-control. Of related importance, how we carry ourselves in the world begins with a strong physical foundation. A key element of successful leadership, as imbued through the Wellfit Girls program, is a focus on the value of a positive, powerful and lasting impressions. Seeing firsthand how Wellfit Girls graduate, develop and thrive, through and beyond the program, provides continuous motivation to continue growing this meaningful organization. A N N UA L RE PO RT 202 0-2021

GO W ITHIN TO GO B E YO ND!

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