A Journey of Wellness, Movement, and Community, Workshop Series

This spring, alongside my colleagues, I was honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation for demonstrating leadership and dedication to whole family wellness through the implementation of the Walk to Wellness Program during this school year. The workshop series training was provided through the Healthy Start Program at the Medical Services Division – SMHWS, and we presented certificates to our participating families upon completion of the program.

Let me share a little about what the Walk to Wellness workshops were all about.

Over the course of three months, I had the privilege of facilitating the Walk 2 Wellness Workshop for our school community — a meaningful journey focused on wellness, movement, connection, and encouragement.

Each workshop session included mini health lessons, guided discussions, wellness feedback, healthy snacks, food guides, and printed recipes to encourage healthy habits at home. We also practiced warm-up and cool-down exercises using professionally approved wellness videos, followed by walking two to three laps around our large school campus together.

The workshop was never just about walking. It became a space where families exchanged ideas, shared experiences, talked about challenges, celebrated progress, and supported one another. I wanted every participant to feel seen, encouraged, and valued, so I also incorporated raffles and small appreciation gifts to make the experience more enjoyable and uplifting. Everyone always went home with something — whether it was a wellness resource, a healthy snack, a smile, or a sense of belonging.

I also shared community resources, took pictures to celebrate our journey, enjoyed coffee and snacks together, and created moments of connection that extended beyond the workshop itself. Each session lasted at least two hours, and I always stayed afterward for families who needed additional support, conversation, or simply someone to listen.

Programs like Walk 2 Wellness remind us that wellness is not only physical — it is emotional, social, and communal. I am deeply grateful to all the families who participated, trusted the process, and walked this journey with me.

As a facilitator and Certified Wellness Coach, it was truly rewarding to witness the growth, commitment, and positive energy of our school community throughout this program.