No doubt, SNAP-Ed nutrition educators have had some challenges during this year of COVID19.  Many of the partners SNAP-Ed does programs with having people with underlying health conditions and had to close. However, Anchor Ministries is a faith-based organization that works with women in rehab and their situation wouldn’t allow them to leave. Although in-person classes weren’t permitted, collaboration with this partner, thanks to the University efforts, was possible as SNAP-Ed nutrition transitioned from face to face education to online programming.  Virtual programming was offered to their clients providing nutrition information knowledge and tools the participants could use once they return to living on their own.  

Unfortunately, contact was not made with this organization until the participants were almost ready to graduate. The day of our last class was the same week that the participants were moving to their own place.  “Healthy Choices for Everybody” curriculum a seven lesson series of the workshop was provided to the ladies.  The lessons included subject from my plate, know your limits on fats, sugars, and salt, budgeting, breakfast made easy, serving sizes, reading label, and food safety.  

This last subject “food safety”, which sometimes is not considered a big deal, was the one that had the biggest impact on the participants.  During the wrap up one of the participants commented, “The class had influenced her and she now is starting to cook for her family again.”  The quote, “When one teaches, two learn” has been very relevant this year with all the changes impacted by COVID 19. The educator is learning how to teach using virtual techniques, and the participants are learning tools to make healthy lifestyle choices.  The lessons are a foundation for those that have been given a second chance and are on the road to recovery.  The participants were all very grateful upon receiving their certificates for participation in “Healthy Choices for Everybody.”