If There is a Will, There is a Weigh for Volunteers to Make a Healthy Difference in Broome County
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Health Department’s Steps to a HealthierNY initiative is on a “mission” to reduce obesity and diabetes in our community by providing residents with opportunities to make a difference by volunteering as a facilitator in a free healthy lifestyle education program called Mission Meltaway. Mission Meltaway, nationally recognized and originally founded by the Broome County Office for Aging, is an eight-week healthy weight management education session, with a group approach to weight loss, led by a volunteer facilitator.
On Tuesday, December 12 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Broome County Health Department, 225 Front Street, Binghamton, volunteers are invited to attend a Mission Meltaway Facilitator Training class. Once trained, facilitators are encouraged to offer Mission Meltaway to their peers, co-workers and neighbors. Mission Meltaway facilitators serve as the liaison between the representative organization and the Broome County Steps to a HealthierNY program; as well as a catalyst for instituting policy, systems and environmental changes to promote social norm change regarding improved physical activity and nutrition options in the participating organizations.
The facilitator duties include; arranging weekly speakers/topics, keeping attendance, weighing in participants, gathering evaluation forms, coordinating maintenance classes, attending facilitator meetings, and quarterly Steps Consortium meetings, which are known to help retention.
For more information on Mission Meltaway and the facilitator training, contact Ann Lomonaco, Public Health Educator, Broome County Health Dept. at 607.778.3067.
Steps to a HealthierNY is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of Steps to a HealthierUS, a national program focusing on the prevention of diabetes, obesity and asthma and the control of risk factors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure. For more information about the Steps to a HealthierNY, please visit www.gobroomecounty.com or call 607.778.3929.
Steps to a HealthierUS is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative advancing the HealthierUS goal to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives. This initiative will reduce the burden of chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity and asthma and the control of risk factors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure through funding of community-based interventions. www.healthierus.gov/steps/
CONTACT:
Mary McFadden, Supervising Public Health Educator
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3929
email: mmcfadden@co.broome.ny.us
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