East Lake Market has accomplished so much in 2013, and we couldn’t be more excited about the impact we’ve made in the community. Christa Lyle, East Lake Market Health Coordinator, took a few minutes to list a few reasons why she is most thankful in 2013.
1. Our Volunteers!! – We could NOT do what we do without them. Our volunteers are crucial to our programming! They are so supportive and willing to do what needs to get done. They make our work personal and meaningful in the community!
2. Our Interns – I have hosted undergraduate and masters level interns from UAB School of Education’s Community Health Education program. These interns have made a very real difference in East Lake. From coordinating Senior Rockin’ Chair Aerobics exercise classes, cooking demos, after school healthy snack making and nutrition lessons for kids of all ages in Barrett and Robinson Elementary Schools, to our Summer Feeding and Culinary Training Programs. These students are helping people to make the healthy choice an easy choice in East Lake. At the same time, they are advancing their own knowledge and skill sets to work with a variety of target audiences and issues.
The Dietetic interns from the UAB School of Health Professions have also contributed in a major way to the success of East Lake Market programs. In the past year, they have worked behind the scenes to develop appropriate curricula, manuals, best practices, nutrition assessment for grant applications, and evaluation methods for existing programs with the highest level of professionalism and are simply a joy to work with.
Students from service learning courses UAB School of Nursing’s Community Health Nursing class, UAB School of Public Health Food Security and Nutrition course, UAB School of Education Health Education Theories and Determinants of Health course, as well as some enthusiastic instructors and students from Samford University have also greatly contributed the betterment of East Lake and our programs. I have watched them discover some fascinating and life-affirming lessons about themselves as well.
3. ELUMC Community Kitchen and Downstairs Diner – Juanita and Sam, the kitchen managers, have made amazing strides in providing healthier options to community diners of all ages at the downstairs diner and summer meal program; managing the culinary program through preparation, training, and implementation; and every day commitment to enriching the programs in East Lake. We also could not provide our cooking demos without their skilled technical assistance, equipment and know-how.
4. Donors – Our donors are great for recognizing our good work here in East Lake. They provide the financial and technical assistance that we need to encourage empowerment and collaboration for healthier lives in our communities.
Today is the day! Make a difference with a year-end gift to help us start the New Year full steam ahead! Your gifts help us continue to work with our community and improve the health and quality of life for everyone. Please consider East Lake Market in your year-end giving. Give a direct donation today.