Earlier this year, the DeKalb Prevention Coalition received a $12k grant from Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital funded by community benefit dollars to support a ‘Community Health Adventure’ for DeKalb residents. This program currently provides free healthy activities throughout the year for all ages. To date, the program has impacted 900 participants in various free activities that promote physical and emotional health including: yoga classes, art instruction, martial arts, tai chi, healthy cooking demonstrations, senior chair volleyball, senior chair yoga, walking clubs, nutrition education, along with classes provided for teens and adults with disabilities. The upcoming summer schedule will help to support summer safety including the addition of free swimming classes and water aerobics.
“The immediate success in the massive participation of the Community Health Adventure shows the great need for healthy activities that families and individuals can afford. Many families have multiple children, face income limits, or even shy away from trying new things that may pose an unnecessary financial burden to start.” said Shan Burklow, Regional Community Relations Coordinator for Saint Thomas Health, “It is our hope that this program will continue to evolve and grow to meet even more health and wellness needs that arise from communicating with the current participants. Future goals that support emotional and physical health will focus on free music instruction, life health coaches, personal training sessions, swimming lessons, and dance classes. It is so exciting to see people of all ages get healthier mentally and physically without the strain of a financial burden of any kind. Every class provided by the ‘health adventure’ is 100% free of charge including any supplies, uniforms, or special equipment that may be needed. Improving the health of the community is such an important part of what Saint Thomas Health is all about, and this program is a shining example of how we can all work together towards this goal.”
For more information on the Community Health Adventure, to volunteer, or to sign-up for available classes, call DeKalb Prevention Coalition or Justin Potter Library. Current classes are listed on the community calendar, and are updated monthly.
The DeKalb Prevention Coalition is an anti-drug coalition working to reduce dependence on harmful and potentially lethal substances such as prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The coalition has recently broadened its reach to include the overall improvement of community health by promoting health/nutrition education and wellness activities, and they would like to thank Saint Thomas Health for making this goal possible.
Upcoming Free Health Adventure Activities & Classes:
Wednesday, May 10 at 12 noon: Community Wellness Walk – meet on Smithville City Hall side of the Courthouse
Wednesday, May 17 at 11:00 am: Older Americans Day in the DeKalb County Complex
* Wellness Wednesdays in the DeKalb County Complex:
·8am: Walking Club
·9am: Chair Volleyball
·10am: Art Classes – contact the Library to reserve your spot
·10am: Sewing Classes – contact the Library to reserve your spot
·4pm: Gentle Yoga for beginners
·5pm: Martial Arts – every Wednesday and Friday (Free in May/June – includes free uniform)
·6:30pm: Power Yoga for beginners/intermediate
·June 2017: Swimming Classes –- contact the Library to reserve your spot
·June 2017: Water Aerobics/Senior Water Aerobics – time/date TBD
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