Fellowship Health Resources receives $5,500 grant in Fall River
Individuals from Fall River show off their art from a Healthy Lifestyle workshop at PeaceLove Studios.
A second consecutive grant from United Way of Greater Fall River will support the continuance of the Healthy Lifestyle Program at FHR in Fall River
Contributed by: Erika Sloan, Public Relations/Web Content Coordinator
Fall River, MA – August 3, 2011 - Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR) will continue its Healthy Lifestyle Program in the Fall River Network (FRN) thanks to a Community Impact Grant from the United Way of Greater Fall River. The program will start on October 1, 2011 and last until September 30, 2012.
Healthy Lifestyles Program Coordinator and FHR staff member, Therese Bernier, says that the $5,500 grant will expand the initiative by offering more program groups and activities.
“A Health and Wellness Fair held last May allowed us to assess participants’ interest in potential program activities. Our curriculum promotes learning and the assimilation of learned materials. This practice helps transition these activities into actual, day-to-day behavior,” Bernier says. “The funds will be used to supplement the expense of equipment, supplies, and educational materials so that we can make our program as effective as possible.”
This year’s Health and Wellness Fair will be held on Tuesday, September 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Gate Christian Academy, 397 Bay Street, Fall River, MA. FHR encourages persons served and staff members who are interested in the programs to attend.
Most, if not all, of the groups from last year expressed an interest in continuing with the Healthy Lifestyle Program. FHR collaborates with many local organizations to provide individually crafted programs for the participants involved. FHR worked with PeaceLove Studios in Pawtucket, RI to organize art workshops as vehicles for individual expression. “Our art groups continue to be a tremendous success,” Bernier says.
Liz R. prepares food with John Quintas from the Diabetes Association, Inc.
Other program topics include smoking cessation, nutrition, exercise, cooking, dance and movement, and health expression/stress management. “We serve over 100 people in the Fall River Region,” says Regional Director Denise Silvia. “Having ties to local community organizations make it possible to support one another and our programs.”
FHR will work with Stanley Street Treatment and Resources (SSTAR) in Fall River to create smoking support/cessation workshops. Other Fall River affiliates include the Diabetes Association, Inc. and HealthFirst Family Healthcare. In addition, the Creative Dance Studio in Tiverton, RI, offers ZUMBA classes for the Healthy Lifestyle Program participants.
“We design the groups based upon the specific health needs of the target population,” Bernier says. “We are all taking steps to improve our lifestyles and community, which is a requirement of a Community Impact Grant recipient. None of this would be possible without proper funding. We are really grateful to United Way for supporting FHR and our Healthy Lifestyle Program.”