BIO Girls is an organization that works towards helping young girls through a life-skills curriculum, small-group mentoring and physical activity in a positive and inclusive environment to improve self-esteem.

“At BIO Girls, we are equipping girls with the skills necessary to combat societal pressures, recognize their value, handle stress and to choose kindness,” said Angie Will, a member of BIO Girls.

BIO Girls started in Fargo in 2013. The program later moved to Minot in 2018 as it expanded all across the Midwest. The organization is locally run by two site directors: Kristy Hokenson and Lindsay Ries.

In their first year, Minot’s BIO Girls had 27 girls go through their program with an estimated 35 for this year’s program. BIO Girls as a whole has impacted 2,700 girls in the seven years it has been running its programs.

Submitted Photo Girls engage in a project during a meeting of BIO Girls.

“Today, in 2019, we have 32 sites in the Midwest serving over 1,100 participants with over 350 volunteers,” said Hokenson.

The curriculum that BIO Girls has formed focuses on emotional well-being, physical well-being, servant leadership and healthy relationships. They work together to give girls a self-confidence “toolbox” that they can use from adolescence through adulthood.

“BIO Girls participants have shown, through independent research, to experience a significant increase in overall quality of life, self-esteem, emotional well-being, physical well-being, and home and school life,” explained Will.

Each session that BIO Girls hosts includes a self-reflection time, a non-denominational devotion, a large group lesson, a small group connection and a physical activity. To help promote the goal of physical well-being, BIO Girls trains participants to run a 5K locally.

“We use physical activity, primarily running, to teach accountability, relieve stress, set goals and experience success,” Will said.

Submitted Photo Girls participate in an activity as part of BIO Girls’ focus on self-esteem and confidence.

When it comes to the small-group connections, BIO Girls works to offer a more personal experience to provide support and encouragement. Each group is made up of three to four participants with one mentor. The mentors become participants’ coach, friend and confidant.

Their program, titled “Beautiful Inside and Out,” provides girls a positive and inclusive environment to teach young girls life lessons to promote their confidence. It is open to girls in second through sixth grade.

Registration for the program will be from March 19 through March 25 with the start date set for April 29. The program runs for 12 weeks with participants meeting on Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. The 5K they train for will be held on July 20.

For more information, visit the BIO Girls site at www.biogirls.org or BIO Girls – Minot, ND on Facebook.