HER MOTHER,

Sharon Berg, showed her daughter how a woman could work full time in a prominent position (in her case, the local post office) while building both a successful career and a thriving family. Her father, Paul Berg, modeled how to give back to his community by dedicating his time and resources to others. Their examples shaped their daughter’s advocacy and service.

Mentors outside Heilman’s family also made a difference in her life. In fifth grade, physical education teacher Marcia Eggen recognized Heilman’s promise as a runner and guided her toward track and field. UND Track and Field coach Dick Clay valued dedication and continuous improvement as much as results — a philosophy that shapes Heilman’s vision of progress even today.

Linking young women with mentors outside of their family units is part of the BIO Girls mission. While the organization has three full-time and two part-time employees running operations at the administrative level, community volunteers from diverse backgrounds are the core of the program.

“I always say I was the spark for BIO Girls, but I am by no means the one who makes it happen,” says Heilman. “Research shows that girls who have a mentor outside the family nucleus have much higher self- esteem,” says Heilman. “At the program level, we have 700-plus volunteers impacting girls. They range from stay-athome moms, teachers, nurses, businesswomen — everything is represented in occupation.”

This powerful consortium of women across the region has been instrumental in every step of BIO Girls’ evolution. The organization now operates 50 locations in five states. It’s all volunteer-driven.

“We have never recruited volunteers to start a location,” says Heilman. “It’s women who discover us through somebody who was already participating or volunteering with our organization. It’s those people that have discovered us and have that connection that bring us to their community.”

The passion of volunteers has fueled BIO Girls from the beginning. Angie Will started as a mentor for the program in its very first year.

She worked without pay to build the program at Heilman’s side for five years, before coming on board as a full-time employee in 2018. That big move — part of a major BIO Girls expansion — was prompted by an earlier exchange with another passionate volunteer in Minnesota.

Jill Nelson’s niece had participated in BIO Girls in Fargo and she was eager to bring the program to young women in Fergus Falls. There was just one problem — BIO Girls wasn’t really set up to operate in other locations. Nelson’s request meant that Heilman found herself and her organization at a crossroads in 2017.

Heilman was happy in her current job. She was supervising a team and earning a great paycheck working remotely as the director of marketing for company in Tampa. Her oldest two girls were doing well and she had another baby on the way. But BIO Girls’ mission kept tugging at her heart.

“Here is a pivotal point in my life,” Heilman says, looking back. “Stressed to the max, sitting at work one day looking at my to-do list for my job and looking at my to-do list for BIO Girls.”

Something had to give. Although she admits that she and her financial planner husband agree that it “made no sense” for her to walk away from a six-figure salary to focus on a scrappy non-profit, that’s exactly what she did. Despite their reservations, she felt sure they’d made the right decision. Confirmation arrived within days.

“I’m not kidding you, the very next week, I had two other women reach out to me from two other communities in the region saying, ‘We need BIO Girls in our community,’” she says, her voice still tinged with wonder three years later. “And I sat back in my chair, looked up and said, ‘Okay God, you’re speaking loud and clear to me. BIO Girls is not about me. It’s about the girls we’re impacting.’”

Heilman and her team refined the curriculum and planned for a gradual expansion. Instead, BIO Girls’ growth exploded. The organization that started with just 35 young women in one church in 2013 has now served over 2,000 young leaders in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Although the program has grown exponentially, the Red River Valley and surrounding rural areas — where young girls have fewer leadership and recreational opportunities, remains the group’s key focus area. Heilman and her team are also working on expanding the age range for BIO Girls programming.

“Our existing program is for second to sixth grade girls,” she explains. “Research shows that self-esteem is highest in girls at age 9 (around third grade) and then plummets to a low around sixth grade. So we are working with our participants during these transformative years to try to help them retain that high self-esteem and learn the skills they need to combat all those pressures that are put on them. However, we also recognize that if they retain their self-esteem through sixth grade, that doesn’t mean that life is easy for them through middle school and high school. So our ambition is to launch a program for middle school and high school in the next two years, so we can make an impact with girls from ages 8 to 18.”

This spring dealt the BIO Girls its toughest challenge yet — the Covid-19 pandemic. Organizers and participants had to implement those lessons about handling adversity, cultivating resilience and adjusting to new challenges in real life, in real time.

There were 19 sites in session in March, so those groups completed their meetings via Zoom. Socially distanced and masked in-person sessions resumed this summer. The beloved 5K became a virtual event for the first time. More than 1,000 participants (500 of them BIO Girls) ran through neighborhoods in 12 states. The annual gala event, which showcases participant growth and raises thousands of dollars to fund future scholarships, remains on the calendar for October.

This ability to pivot, meet and manage goals, and cultivate a strong team has served Heilman well during this pandemic and throughout her career. It’s helped her build BIO Girls and influence the next generation of female leaders. She insists that anyone can do the same.

“Do not fear failure, don’t get paralyzed by what-ifs,” Heilman says, breaking down her philosophy into three simple steps like the mentor and educator she is. “Celebrate progress. Social media shows all the highlight reels, but we forget what it takes to get to that point, so don’t expect perfection. And then the third would be to surround yourself with people who make you better. And that’s advice from experience. And honestly, that’s the way that BIO Girls has turned into what it is today.”

Every Saturday

Now – October 31

RED RIVER MARKET

Shop from over 60 local vendors including produce, meat, eggs, bakery, pantry items, household goods, art and more. Pick up breakfast, lunch, coffee or drinks to-go. The Red River Market and its vendors are taking precautions to ensure that the season is safe for all, including a new layout that will provide double the square footage to allow for social distancing. Though family programming will not take place, three live music performances per market will be held on the stage to enjoy while shopping. Visitors can find all of the vendor requirements and visitor guidelines online at redriver. market/covid. All vendors accept SNAP/EBT on eligible products and Red River Market matches purchases up to $10 per person per visit at the information booth.

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Downtown Fargo 63 5th St N redriver.market

August 15

PIONEER DAY AT BONANZAVILLE

Costumed docents will bring history to life along with live demonstrations including blacksmithing, threshing, homemade lefse and kuchen, and more. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage, visitors can speak to North Dakota suffragist Clara Dillon Darrow who will be giving her "I want to vote" speech. Other activities include a kiddie tractor pull, kids haystack coin hunt, pioneer games, crafts and much more. Enjoy a ride in a horsedrawn wagon or the train and grab a spot for the parade at 2 p.m. Regular admission applies. *Due to COVID-19, our annual two-day celebration will be held for ONE DAY ONLY.

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bonanzaville 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo bonanzaville.org

September 2

2020 United Way COMMUNITY KICKOFF EVENT

Join us with a virtual watch party to connect with other change-makers as we rally to create a community filled with hope and opportunity for everyone. For more information visit unitedwaycassclay.org, email unitedway@unitedwaycassclay.org or call 701-237-5050.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Watch online at unitedwaycassclay.org

September 10

YWCA CHOCOLATE FANTASY

Support YWCA Cass Clay's mission with a to-go dessert box filled with sweet treats from generous donors across the community. Simply order your box in advance and pick it up between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on September 10 to enjoy some delicious treats! Dessert boxes will also be available for purchase day-of at pick-up. But wait, there’s more! On September 4 at noon, a variety of incredible silent auction items donated from your favorite local hotspots and businesses will be available for you to view and bid on at bit.ly/ywcachocolate2020. When you swing by to pick up your desserts, we'll have the silent auction items on display for you to view in person. The Chocolate Fantasy Silent Auction will close at 10 p.m. on September 10 with items available for pick-up the following morning. Learn more, bid on items, and order your dessert box at bit.ly/ywcachocolate2020.

Dessert Box Pick-Up 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Silent Auction Open

September 4, Noon - September 10, 10:00 PM

Delta Hotels by Marriott 1635 42nd St SW, Fargo bit.ly/ywcachocolate2020

September 19-20

FALL FLEA MARKET AT THE FARM

Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market, aka The FARM invites you to the Fall Flea Market featuring over 60 vendors indoors and out with great vintage, repurposed and recycled items, collectibles, sale prices and a food truck! Find more details on Facebook.

Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sunday 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market

5258 51st Ave S, Fargo farmantiques.net

September 26

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S

The world may look a little different right now, but one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to ending Alzheimer’s. When you participate in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, you’re part of a community that cares — and that community, which starts in your backyard and stretches across the country, has never needed us more. With the dollars we raise, the Alzheimer’s Association can provide care and support during these uncertain times while advancing critical research toward methods of treatment and prevention. We’re still coming together in 2020, even if it means trying something new. Register today at alz.org/walk.

10:00 AM

September 26

HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL

Fall in Northern Minnesota is something to savor. Join us at Moondance for our Harvest Moon Festival — a truly unique beer and wine tasting festival with live entertainment. The fall colors at Moondance are amazing and Moondance is all about fun, so we have combined them all into one! Come for just the day or make it a weekend and stay in our campgrounds or one of the nice hotels or resorts nearby and hit one of the Harvest Moon restaurant pairings for a special meal on Friday night.

Moondance Grounds

Walker, MN harvestmoonfestival.net

September 28,

October 5 & 12

LOVE & LOGIC (FREE 3-week series)

Avoid power struggles and arguments, set enforceable limits and help kids learn from mistakes rather than repeating them. This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately. Registration required. Call Cass County Extension at 701-241-5700 or email herdingd@casscountynd.gov

5:30 – 7:30 PM

Jefferson Elementary School 1701 4th Ave S, Fargo

September 29,

October 6, 13 & 20

ACTIVE PARENTING: AGES 0-5 (FREE 4-week series with childcare provided)

The first five years are critical to a child’s development. Participants will learn attachment and nurturing, preventing behavior problems and skills to encourage positive behavior. Registration required. Call Cass County Extension at 701-241-5700 or email herdingd@casscountynd.gov.

6:00 – 7:30 PM

YMCA – Schlossman

4243 19th Ave S, Fargo

October

1, 8, 15 & 29

ACTIVE PARENTING: TEENS (FREE Online 4-week series)

Parents will learn skills to communicate positively with your teen, direction with discipline, insight into today’s teen issues and much more. Registration required. Call Cass County Extension at 701-241-5700 or email herdingd@casscountynd.gov.

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Online Classes

QUOTABLE:

October 7, 14, 21 & 28

ACTIVE PARENTING: AGES 5-12 (FREE Online 4-week series)

Helping parents of kids ages 5-12 raise responsible, cooperative children who are able to resist peer pressure. Registration required. Call Cass County Extension at 701-241-5700 or email herdingd@casscountynd.gov.

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Online Classes

October 9

4TH ANNUAL FM RAISE YOUR SPIRITS GALA

FM Raise Your Spirits is a charitable organization that supports and celebrates Fargo-Moorhead charities and their standout volunteer champions. The gala includes a multi-course culinary experience paired with a variety of spirits, silent auctions, raffles and entertainment. Proceeds from this year’s gala will benefit Friends of the Children.

5:30 PM

Holiday Inn 3803 13th Ave S, Fargo fmraiseyourspirits.com

"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Then you will seek me and find me: when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord." — JEREMIAH 29: 11-14