Participants in the Ches Penn After-School Wellness Program display their “graduation” certificates. Joining the students are, back row far left, Rekha Yagnik, M.D., medical director; back row, second from the right, Sheila Church, director of Outreach Services for Ches Penn Health Services; and back row, far right, Dollie Cooper of Ches Penn’s Social Services department.
Chester, Pa. - The ChesPenn After-School Wellness Program marked the conclusion of another successful year with a “graduation” event at Community Hospital on May 10.
The initiative, now in its third year, is collaboration between ChesPenn Health Services, the HealthplexÒ Sports Club and the Penn State-Delaware County Cooperative Extension. The program provides exercise, nutrition counseling and homework help to children who are struggling with their weight.
Seven children completed the program this year. In addition to focusing on a healthier lifestyle, other activities were introduced to add diversity and fun. For example, representatives from the Penn State-Delaware County Cooperative Extension brought the children and their parents together for a range of activities that looked at how eating and attitudes toward food have changed over generations. The Chester Injury/Violence Prevention Program presented a “peace talk” series that covered such topics as anger management and dealing with bullies — topics that can contribute to poor eating habits and limited social skills. In addition, the students took field trips to the movies, a restaurant (with a nutritionist), a roller-skating rink, the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J., and the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.
For more information about the program, contact Sheila Church, director of Outreach Services for ChesPenn Health Services, at (610) 485-3800 or sheila.church@chespenn.org.