When Venessa White first read about Girls on the Run (GOTR) in her local newspaper 13 years ago, she knew she wanted her daughter to experience it. There was just one problem — there wasn’t a team nearby. Instead of letting that be the end of the story, Venessa stepped up, became a coach, and launched a brand-new site in Scotch Plains.
Since that first season, Venessa has coached hundreds of girls from Fanwood and Scotch Plains. Many have gone on to join local running teams, but all, she says, have left with something even more important: confidence.
“One of my most memorable moments was crossing the 5K finish line with my daughter during our very first year. I believe that helped instill in her the confidence to accomplish hard things,” Venessa recalls. “I’ve also seen incredible moments of teamwork, like when a girl was finishing her last lap during our practice 5K and every other girl ran that final lap with her, cheering the whole way.”
Venessa has witnessed countless transformations over the years — shy girls finding their voices, hesitant runners discovering their strength, and teammates building bonds that last beyond the season.
She also credits much of her joy as a coach to the people she stands beside each season. For the last decade, Venessa has coached alongside Renee Feldman and Karen DeBernardis — a trio so committed to their community that in 2023 they were recognized by Girls on the Run International with the Remarkable Volunteer Award.
“Our volunteer coaches are essential to our mission of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident,” said GOTR NJ East Executive Director Suzanne Elliott. “Every season, we are fortunate to have volunteers like Venessa, Renee, and Karen teaching girls how to use their voices, achieve their goals, and practice healthy habits.”
Outside of GOTR, Venessa’s life is full — and full of purpose. She works as an instructional aide in an elementary school, is pursuing her master’s degree in school counseling, and stays active through running and exercise. She’s also a dedicated mom to 20-year-old twins, a wife, a dog lover, and an active community volunteer.
She credits GOTR with deepening her empathy and reinforcing her belief in the importance of social-emotional learning.
“I now better understand all the changes happening in girls’ minds and bodies, and that insight has directly helped me in my job, especially with students who face behavior challenges.”
As she looks ahead, Venessa hopes GOTR NJ East will continue to grow its reach:
“I’d love to see more school-based programs and a site in every community, so every girl who wants to run and build her confidence has that opportunity.”
From one newspaper article to 13 years of inspiring girls, Venessa’s GOTR journey shows the power of saying “yes” to possibility — and the ripple effect it can create in a community.