Category: Cooperative Extension
Volunteers Helping Delawareans Stay Healthy
April 12, 2024 Written by Gina Crist, Community Health Specialist and Health and Well-Being Program Leader
Master Wellness Volunteers
Did you know Extension has a group of volunteers that work across the state to support health and wellness? We do! They are called Master Wellness Volunteers, and they are champions in the community for health! Each volunteer has received training and is equipped with knowledge about health equity, youth and adult partnerships, and social determinants of health.
Master Wellness Volunteers serve as Walk Club Leaders, Community and School Garden Coordinators, Mindfulness and Well-being Educators and Food Educators - serving the community in a variety of ways. Leaders of walk clubs are there to support individuals looking to improve their wellness through walking while connecting with others.
Volunteers Support the Community
Community and School Garden Coordinators assist in creating gardens that produce food for demonstration and consumption. Mindfulness and Well-being Educators work to support individuals looking to enhance their mindful practices. Food Educators support cooking demonstrations and educate people on choosing and consuming nutritious foods. All of the volunteers are important voices in the community for health and spread the message about Extension!
Some of the work that our volunteers have been working on this year includes providing coaching to groups that want to develop a garden at their location to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to residents at a housing development and students/families at school and childcare sites. Our walk club leaders are walking in Wilmington, Dover/Camden, and Seaford - supporting the journey of individuals looking to improve their health this Spring. Our Master Food Educators have been busy supporting Dining with Diabetes, assisting participants in learning how to make delicious foods that fit their dietary needs, and providing Lunch and Learns on how to make salads, have a great mealtime experience for one or two people and quick meal options.
Community Events
Later this Spring, you can see our volunteers at Ag Day on April 27, 2024 outdoors at Townsend Hall. Also, they will help support our 4-Hers at the Delaware State Fair at the Harrington State Grounds on July 8 through the 27, 2024, as judges, among other community events. We are truly so grateful for the work of our volunteers - they are an integral part of our Extension Health and Well-being work, and we know that the health of Delawareans is impacted by all that they do!
Become a Volunteer
If you are interested in learning more about how you might become a volunteer or are an organization that is interested in having your staff trained as volunteers, please contact Gina Crist at gcrist@udel.edu