WELLNESS ADVOCATE PROGRAM GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

WELLNESS ADVOCATES HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE BEST OPTIONS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DEVELOP GOALS AND PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE COACHING TO DRIVE MORE CONSISTENT SUCCESS.

The MI Health Endowment Fund has awarded a $100,000.00 grant to Greater Midland’s Wellness Advocate Program. “We’re grateful to the Fund for this generous award that we believe will make a lasting impression in the lives of our community. We know the importance of fitting in physical activity every day, but it can be difficult to make it happen. Our wellness advocate program helps you identify the best options for physical activity, develop goals and provide one-on-one coaching,” said Kristen McDonald, CEO.
 
The program is for individuals who do not participate in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week and who need assistance beginning and incorporating an exercise plan into their lifestyle. There is no charge to participate in the program or for visits with your advocate. The only costs you will incur are activities such as, a monthly gym membership, personal training, or nutrition coaching.
 
Interested participants can download the referral form – here – and have their health care provider complete the referral. The participant will then be contacted by a Greater Midland wellness coordinator to schedule a health assessment.
 
Greater Midland Wellness Advocate Program includes:
·        Health assessment
·        Physical activity plan tailored to patient’s choice of environment and exercise preferences
·        Referral to other appropriate services to reach patient goals
·        Communication back to the health care provider regarding patient’s participation and progress over a 12-month time-frame
 
The other unique aspect of this program is that it broadens the concept of exercise from something that happens at a fitness center to incorporate a multitude of interests and activities.
 
“Sometimes our wellness coaches have gone to a person’s house and walked with them around the neighborhood because they weren’t ready to come into our fitness center yet. That’s OK. The point is to encourage them to become more active,” said Mike Schafer, Greater Midland’s wellness director.
 
Schafer also stated, “By working closely with health care providers to prescribe exercise for patients, who will then be promptly contacted to our wellness team, we can build in support and accountability right from the start.”
 
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Summer Camp Update

Statement related to the Greater Midland Community Center Summer Camps.

Recently members of the community have expressed concern about the Boys Only! and Girls Only! summer camps listed in our 2017 brochure. Specifically, some parents were concerned that the activities listed for each group reinforced gender-based stereotypes. We agree.

While we believe that gender specific camps offer a great opportunity for friendship building, bonding and a unique environment for kids to build critical developmental assets, we do not support the idea that some activities are only of interest to a specific gender. During these camps, there are many opportunities for activities that will appeal to everyone including; sports, games, contests, songs and crafts.  We regret that the camp descriptions indicated otherwise and will take immediate action to correct this.

The Greater Midland Community Center offers over 130 camps to almost 3,000 kids in our community every summer.  We are proud of our long-standing commitment to our area youth.

Thank you for your concern for our youth and the messages that we are delivering to them.  Please contact Kevin Heye, Vice President of Operations Kheye@greatermidland.org with any questions.