Become a Master Wellness Volunteer!
Be a part of something BIG! In the United States, 86% of all health spending is related to chronic conditions – things like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these costs can be managed and potentially reduced through education and lifestyle modification.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County is seeking participants for its Master Wellness Volunteer Program. The Master Wellness Volunteer program allows those who have a passion about health and wellness to share that passion with others via worksite wellness programs, community events and more. Obtain knowledge and skills to live a healthier lifestyle and encourage others to do the same. Master Wellness Volunteers (MWV) undergo 40 hours of training on health, nutrition and food safety and are then empowered to provide outreach and education, helping reduce the burden of chronic conditions in Texans and Texas’ communities. Not a health professional? Not a problem! We welcome participation from anyone interested in promoting health and wellness: college students, employees, retirees – anyone!
Session Topics:
* Master Wellness Volunteer Program overview
* Nutrition & Weight Management
* Health & Wellness
* Food Safety
* Physical Activity
* And more!
Opportunities to serve are wide-ranging: assisting with healthy cooking demonstrations, participating in health fairs, perhaps actually presenting a program for a local group, assisting with 4-H events, and much more. Because each community is different, MWV’s work with the County Extension Agent and other stakeholders to identify needs and opportunities to help make a local difference.
In January 2018, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will convene a statewide training for Master Wellness Volunteers…and you don’t even have to leave your county. Two in-person sessions will be held (January 23 and February 28) at the Hopkins County office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. The rest of the training will be conducted online. It’s never been easier to give back to your community! Currently, Hopkins County has 10 trained volunteers who contributed 684 hours in 2017, reaching over 8,000 people.
For more information about the Master Wellness Volunteer Program, visit http://agrilife.org/mwv. The cost is $75, and only $25 for college students. Registration is now open for the Master Wellness Volunteer Statewide Training: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/MWV. It will be available through January 16, 2018, in anticipation of the first training day on January 23, 2018. Be a part of something BIG!!
¡Si, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes!
Over 10% of adults in Texas have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total cost per person with diabetes is $15,654. These numbers are disturbing, but diabetes can be controlled.
A 7-lesson series has been scheduled for Hispanic audiences who have type 2 diabetes, and we hope you will help us get the word out! The classes will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs on January 8, 16, 22, 29, February 5, 12, and 19. Two times are being offered to accommodate schedules of those wishing to attend: 1:30, repeated at 5:30 p.m.
The series is free to those wanting to attend, but in order to adequately prepare, we request that they call Angela Doddy, with Christus Trinity Clinic at 903-244-1424, or the Extension Office at 903-885-3443. All sessions will be taught in Spanish, and will include handouts, door prizes, and great information.
Step Up and Scale Down
Another great opportunity for 2018 is the Step Up and Scale Down Series! And the nice thing about it is that you don’t even have to leave your home! A statewide series begins Monday, January 8 and continues for 12 weeks. Boost your physical and mental health in 2018 Step up Scale Down is a 12 week educational program based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. This program covers a wide range of topics that address barriers most people face when trying to lose weight. Beginning January 8, 2018 the Healthy Texas Office will be facilitating an online Step Up Scale Down course entitled “A Healthy You 2018”. Here is what you will receive as part of participating in SUSD A Healthy You 2018:
- Proper goal setting
- Reading nutrition labels
- Meal planning
- Motivation
- Socializing and more
Sign up by Jan. 8 for Step Up Scale Down online course and form habits to maintain a healthier weight, stay active, and reduce your risk for chronic diseases at: https://stepupscaledown.org. After you log on, you will have the opportunity to register, view frequently asked questions, and keep up with the on-line course.
Closing Thought
Some minds are like concrete – thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
