Be an Environmental Health Coach

Posted by on September 16, 2005

IF YOU ARE 60 or OVER, consider being an ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COACH.

Training begins September 23 @ 9:30 a.m. at Temple University.

The purpose of this project is to create Corps of 25 older adults (ages 60+) who will learn to use theater and the arts to educate middle school aged children and community groups about environmental hazards that endanger people’s health in their own communities.

INTERESTED? READ ON!
Part 1: September 2005 – December 2005. First, participants will attend a 12- week training program designed to increase their knowledge about the effects of environmental hazards on public health? For example, participants will examine why the asthma rate so high in inner city communities? What is the role of air pollution on heart disease? What is the danger of using common pesticides and cleaning agents? What is the relationship between the built environment and obesity? What are common cultural myths about fast food that are contributing to the obesity epidemic?

Coaches will also learn how to communicate the information through the development of an interactive theater performance, tip sheets, games, posters, and other activities which they will draft into a two part workshop series designed for middle school students. Health Coach training classes will be held one day a week for three hours at Temple University. At the end of this twelve week course, participants will have created workshops for middle school children.

Part 2: March, April and May 2006. During spring 2006 the trained Health Coaches will present the workshops they created during the twelve week course to five groups of middle school students.

Qualifications for Health Coaches:
. Interest in learning about the intersection between the environment and health
. Willing to perform (no experience necessary)
. Respect and concern for children and interest in community organizations
. Ability to commit to a 12 week course starting in September and ending in December
. Availability in March, April and May to present workshops in schools and community groups

Small stipends ($120 @ $10/class for 12 classes) plus transportation are available for Health Coaches who complete the twelve week training program. Additional stipends are available for participation in presentations (30/workshop or performance).

For more information, contact:
Marilyn B. Wood
Managing Director, Full Circle Theater
Center for Intergenerational Learning
Temple University
1601 N. Broad Street, Room 206
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215 204 9386 (phone)
215 204 3195 (fax)