Girls on the Run, a nonprofit, after-school, life-skills and empowerment program brought to Matthew Turner Elementary School by Principal Leslie Beatson, is seeking volunteers, said April Massett, coordinator for the program in Solano County.

The program, which focuses on girls in third through eighth grade, begins in the fall, Massett said. Meanwhile, she is hoping to find residents willing to be trained as life coaches to help participants.

Girls on the Run is a national nonprofit program started in Napa and Solano counties in 2006 by four women: Executive Director and President Janet Todd, and Michelle Beard, Erin Przybylinski and Wendy Cole.

It initially had 30 girls as participants. Since then, more than 3,000 girls have gone through the program; this year alone, 800 joined, guided by 100 volunteer life coaches at 40 schools in the two counties.

The program incorporates running and multiple other elements of what Massett called “a wonderful, applicable curriculum” in which participants are taught to be “joyful, healthy, caring and confident.

“We cover topics such as positive body image, bullying, standing up for yourself and healthy eating habits while we get out and exercise,” she said.

Other Benicia schools may join Girls on the Run in advance of its spring season, “which already has an interest list forming,” she said

Girls of all fitness levels, body types, economic levels and ethnicities are welcome, though the program in particular encourages low-income and Latina girls to join.

“We aim for the girls to build character, make connections with peers and role model adults and gain competence,” Massett said.

“Long-term goals are to promote positive physical, mental and social outcomes and prevent unhealthy and risky behaviors.”

Each season lasts 10 weeks, with after-class sessions meeting twice a week for 75 minutes. Girls train for competing in a 5-kilometer run, and they also complete a community service project.

But the program cannot function without adult volunteers, Massett said — so it recruits and trains “positive and energetic women life coaches.”

These women become mentors who are comfortable in guiding life-skills discussions. Coaches need to be able to commit 15 to 40 hours during each 10-week season for the after-school sessions in both fall and spring, and need to be able to pass a background check as well as attend a day of training.

Using the Girls on the Run curriculum, they become mentors and teachers at sessions involving eight to 15 girls, and endeavor to keep those meetings fun and upbeat, Massett said.

Each girl participant pays between $20 and $165, depending on whether they are eligible for scholarships that help cover the cost.

“Though we have a guideline of free and reduced lunch qualifications, we just encourage the families to pay what they are comfortable paying,” Massett said.

“We want all girls who would like to participate to be able to join, regardless of finances.”

Fall season at Matthew Turner Elementary School, as well as 36 other Napa and Solano sites, will begin the week of Sept. 9 and end the week of Nov. 16,

The Girls on the Run 5k run takes place Nov. 14 at Napa Valley College, 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa.

Learn more about Girls on the Run at girlsontherun.org.