The Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County is looking for additional participants in its Master Wellness Volunteer program, which has its next training during July and Aug. The program trains people to provide health and wellness information to others in their community regarding physical activity, nutrition, food safety, child health and more. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo)
SAN ANTONIO — The Master Wellness Volunteer program for Bexar County is looking for more people to participate in its health and wellness outreach efforts, said the local program coordinator.
“The program is an initiative of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and provides volunteers with 40 hours of training in health, wellness and nutrition education,” said Dr. Connie Sheppard, AgriLife Extension family and consumer sciences agent for Bexar County. “In return, volunteers agree to give back 40 hours in wellness-related community service.”
Sheppard said the next volunteer training will be 5:30-9:30 p.m. on selected Mondays and Wednesdays from July 11-Aug. 3.
“Master Wellness Volunteers are required to attend five classes to reach the minimum 40 hours of training,” she noted.
Sheppard said the classes will be held in Suite 208 of Texas AgriLife Extension Service offices, located in Conroy Square, 3355 Cherry Ridge Dr. in San Antonio. They will be given on July 11, 13, 18 and 20, and Aug.1 and 3.
“The training will address physical activity, nutrition, food safety and food demonstrations, child health, AgriLife Extension wellness programs and more,” she said.
Sheppard said opportunities for volunteers are diverse and no previous health or wellness training is required to become a Master Wellness Volunteer.
“The only requirement is an interest in living healthfully and helping instruct others on how to do the same,” she said. “Our current volunteers include retirees, school teachers and students, community leaders, homemakers and other civic-minded individuals.”
Volunteer activities can include providing instruction in small community venues, assisting with AgriLife Extension fitness initiatives and conducting healthy recipe demonstrations, Sheppard said. Volunteer opportunities are coordinated through the AgriLife Extension office, but volunteers also are welcome to use their training materials at their own selected community site or within their own organization.
“Being a Master Wellness Volunteer doesn’t mean you have to get up in front of people and teach a class,” Sheppard explained. “It can also mean helping with administrative tasks, data entry or designing newsletters or fliers. There is something for everyone.”
The registration deadline for the next training is July 10, and the $50 fee covers the cost of materials. Each participant will receive a binder with copies of all training presentations.
“Wellness is a state of health that doesn’t just involve the absence of an illness. It encompasses a person’s physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial well-being,” Sheppard said. “The Master Wellness Volunteer program helps promote wellness for our community through teaching people relevant, useful, objective, research-based information they can then share with others.”
For an online registration form, go to http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/FCS/NutritionHealth/index.htm.
For additional information, contact Sheppard at 210-467-6575 or c-sheppard@tamu.edu.
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