With all of the pressures facing young women today, and all of the statistics about the void of women in corporate and government leadership positions, one nonprofit in Southwest Florida is systematically seeking change. Based in Naples, Wellfit Girls provides comprehensive leadership and mentorship programs for young women in middle and high school, culminating in physically demanding wilderness trips. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, many of these young women have overcome significant hardship in their short years, and they all have defined visions for what they want to accomplish with their lives.
Wellfit Girls was founded by Jill Wheeler in 2014. Wheeler came to Naples in 2006, and after helping to build the Naples International Film Festival, she decided to make a female-focused film featuring girls overcoming obstacles, connecting with nature, and learning to lead. “The girls would train to climb actual mountains during the program and also prepare for all of life’s mountains and valleys,” Wheeler explained. “Southwest Florida didn’t offer any immersive leadership and outdoor programs like this. So, what started as a pilot program and a film project evolved into year-round programming for girls aged 12-19.” Wellfit also started offering a summer camp last year.
Now entering its seventh year, Wellfit is able to look to its alumni to see what the program has accomplished.
“We measure success based on what alumni and parents say about the program, and based on
what alumni are currently doing with their lives,” said Colby Robertson, director of Wellfit Girls. “We have alumni setting and attaining ambitious career goals, and now working locally in finance, marketing, wellness, and nonprofit fields. Each Wellfit Girl has a unique journey; we empower them to see themselves as unique, strong, confident individuals. Learning how to work out with others, incorporating fitness into daily life, and encouraging each other are essential components in fighting off isolation and building self-confidence.”
Wheeler has a vision of exponential growth for the organization. “We started with 11 high school girls in Naples in 2014. We are now offering three different programs for middle school through first year of college in Collier and Lee Counties. I created an instructors training manual, facilitator’s guidebook, and workbook in order to expand across the country within five years. We want to collaborate with schools and other nonprofits to enhance already existing programs interested in developing youth leadership,” she said.
“We love to say: ‘once a Wellfit Girl, always a Wellfit Girl.’ I want program participants to know they belong to something bigger than themselves. As we nurture a sense of belonging and honor their unique gifts, the girls understand their contribution matters greatly,” said Wheeler.
Wellfit Girls alumni and a current participant talked to Neapolitan Family about their Wellfit experience.
Rachel Newman, current participant
How did you find out about the program? What prompted you to apply? I found out about the program through my mom during 6th grade. After hearing about the amazing expeditions they went on and what a unique experience it would be, I decided that I wanted to apply as soon as I was old enough.
What do you want to get out of the program? I hope to gain leadership skills and grow in confidence. I want to improve my mental, physical, and emotional well-being by overcoming challenging physical obstacles. Additionally, I want to develop a positive mindset and attitude. Sometimes I struggle with expressing my ideas, being shy, and lacking confidence, but I think this program will definitely teach me how I can approach situations more confidently.
What do you enjoy most about Wellfit? I especially enjoy our directors. Our fitness director, Kelly Clark, is a great motivator and comes up with exercises that are challenging for us in preparing us for our expedition in March. Our program director, Brooke Spencer, encourages all of us to remain positive and work hard – both inside and outside of our meetings.
What similarities and differences do you see amongst program participants? This program includes eighth and ninth graders. Some of us struggle more with the mentality of approaching challenges, whereas others thrive at being self-motivated and facing the challenges head on. All of us desire to grow individually and as a group over the course of preparing for the expedition.
Casandria Emmerich, alumna
Tell us about yourself. I completed the WellFit Girls program in 2015, and graduated from Palm Acres Charter High School in Lehigh Acres in 2016. After graduation, I got my yoga teacher certification. During high school, I was in a performing arts program loved the opportunity to sing and dance on stage.
What prompted you to apply for the program? At the time, Wellfit Girls met at the House of Gaia, which was founded by a friend of our family – Lulu Carter. Lulu recommended that I apply for the program.
How did you grow as a result of Wellfit? The program included physical fitness, and because it was five months long, it gave me time to grow into healthy habits. The weekly group exercise translated into daily healthy habits during the other days of the week. I began to run every day, discovered some fun exercise videos on YouTube, drank a ton of water – and I didn’t stop even after I completed the program.
What were your favorite and most challenging aspects of the program? I was raised by a single mom, and we spent many years in poverty. I didn’t have the luxury of participating in sports or after-school programs. Having a fitness trainer, and meeting an amazing community of fitness and yoga instructors through WellFit Girls is something that I wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. I am so grateful every day for the fitness aspect of the program.
What are your plans for the future? I desire to advocate for clean cosmetics and overall health and wellness. I plan to become a personal trainer and a nutritionist.
Zya Crawford, alumna
Tell us about yourself. I grew up in Georgia and moved to Southwest Florida in the summer of 2016 with my mom and sister. I’m close with my aunt, who lives nearby also. I completed one year of college, and I’m currently taking a few months off.
How did you hear about Wellfit Girls? I was seeing a psychologist who told me about the program. When she described the program, it sounded too good to be true. I love to travel, and I wanted to pursue leadership and self-improvement. Additionally, I wanted to get to know other girls my own age, as I had just moved to the area.
How did you grow through Wellfit Girls? I gained meaningful relationships. I especially grew through the physical and emotional challenges of the wilderness trip – it was very difficult for me. The trip showed me that if I can do something like that, I can do anything I want in life.
What’s next for you in terms of education and career? Honestly, I don’t know. I plan to finish college – I dream about being a travel journalist, and I’ve considered pursuing a career as a flight attendant or tour manager. I’ve learned that life never goes as planned.
Asheley Gelin, alumna
Tell us about yourself and how you discovered Wellfit Girls. I’m a senior in high school, but I am dually enrolled at Lely High School and Florida SouthWestern State College. I’ll graduate in the spring with 30 hours of college credit. I came to Miami from Haiti when I was very young with my mom and younger twin brothers, and we moved to Naples when I was in fifth grade. I’ve overcome some significant adversity in my life, and as I grew up, I began to write poetry. I would enter writing competitions or any contests I could find in order to earn money, and I found a passion and a gift for poetry. It was a way for me to process my experiences, and I also use it as a platform to be a voice for others.
I’m very adventurous, and I participated in an Outward Bound program. Knowing this, a friend of mine told me about the Wellfit Girls program. I applied for the program, and I also applied for the Jane Waltzer Scholarship, which involved a separate application. I’m so glad I applied – the program was invaluable for me.
What did you gain through the program? I learned a lot about healthy conflict resolution. I consider myself a nice, talkative person, but I am short tempered. Before [Wellfit], whenever I had a conflict, I would attack. I never considered others’ perspectives. This caused rifts in my relationships – even my relationship with my mom. I would get in trouble with teachers, administrators, and classmates. Through Wellfit Girls, I learned to first let others speak and seek to understand their side. I even went through one-on-one counseling with my mom, which was so helpful.
I was already relatively physically fit before entering the program, but I had a hard time eating healthy. I learned to balance my diet and make more healthy choices. My mindset shifted, and I discovered that what I eat dictates how I act and how I feel.
What are your plans for the future plans? I want to go to college up north! I’m ready for a change, and I’m in the process of applying to a variety of schools. Where I go will depend on the financials and scholarships I receive. I am planning to pursue business management and bio-medical engineering. I would like to eventually come back to South Florida to do some sort of bio-tech start-up; I want to be an entrepreneur. But, for now, the north is calling to me!
Would you encourage others to participate in Wellfit Girls? Every girl needs this program – no matter what and regardless of their fitness level. People come to Wellfit Girls for all different purposes, for all different reasons. It’s the type of program that meets a variety of needs.
For more information visit wellfitgirls.org.