Program to focus on healthy lifestyles | News, Sports, Jobs - Fairmont Sentinel

Program to focus on healthy lifestyles | News, Sports, Jobs – Fairmont Sentinel

March 25, 2022
7:42 pm

Mar 25, 2022
FAIRMONT– The Fairmont and Martin County West Community Education and Recreation departments are teaming together to offer SOfit, a six week program for adult individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Stephanie Busiahn, Executive Director of Fairmont CER, had said when she took the position over last summer that she wanted to look at more options for populations in the community that are underserved.
She explained that when she was at a community education conference, Special Olympics was doing a breakout session that she wanted to attend. On her way there, she ran into Nickole Bowie, MCW CER director, who was also on her way to the same session.
“Their presentation was based around the SOfit program. When you think Special Olympics, you might think of the sports side of things. SOft is a little different,” Busiahn explained.
SOfit hits on the emotional, nutritional, physical and social wellness. It offers individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities a journey toward improved health through comprehensive wellness education and regular physical activity.
“Participants leave each session with knowledge and skills to make healthy lifestyle choices,” Busiahn said.
There is an hour long session each Tuesday for six weeks. Community members and local businesses are helping with the education portion of the program.
For the first session on April 5, community member Josie Sodersten will lead a yoga class. On April 12, community member Bill Gonnsen will lead a meditation class.
For the next session on April 19, those in the program will get a tour of the Fairmont Fire Department, led by Colby Whitmore.
“We’ll be talking about safety and wellness and whether there’s a plan or exit strategy in place,” Busiahn said.
On April 26, the class will cover nutrition. Courtney Williams of Fairmont HyVee will lead a tour and talk about healthy eating. At the end of it, Busiahn said participants can go through the store and pick out their own healthy snack.
On May 3, LiveFit will cover physical wellness. For the last session on May 10, the group will meet for mini golf in Fairmont.
The cost is $30 for the whole six week program. The maximum for the class is 15 and Busiahn said they have a good number signed up but can still take on more. The deadline to register is March 29. Registration can be done online at fairmont.k12.mn.us and found under the Community Education and Recreation tab.
Down the road as the program grows, Busiahn said the goal is to blend individuals with disabilities with individuals without disabilities to have one big group.
“It won’t be a class for us and a class for them but a class for everyone,” Busiahn said.
She is excited to be able to provide some additional outlets for programming and social interaction.
“There are programming needs for populations that are underserved. We’d like to transition to unified programming down the road but we’re getting some pieces in place first,” Busiahn said.
She added that it’s also always exciting to try something new and hopes this is the first of many new opportunities for programming.
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