EHS staff are Keen to Be Green

Each month, staff members from the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s (HFP) Early Head Start (EHS) program gather in the site’s wellness center for activities focused on wellness and resiliency. Last month’s program was a green living health fair living entitled Keen to Be Green. The monthly wellness events are one of the many ways programs within HFP work to increase awareness about the importance of self-care.

Each year, EHS staff members identify the types of wellness activities they would like to attend throughout the year. “It is my hope that these events assist in reducing staff stress and increasing workplace morale,” said Khadijah Muhammad, the director of Early Head Start. “The staff who participate regularly always express gratitude for the opportunity to learn new ways to support their overall wellness.”

Keen to Be Green featured six different wellness stations, which included a farmer’s market with fresh fruits and vegetables supplied by Greensgrow Farms, an urban farm in Kensington; a gratitude journaling station; green smoothies with recipes to try at home; a repurpose table for people to rehome unwanted items; a green heart chakra demonstration; and blood pressure and BMI screenings. Nspire Network also gave a presentation about safer feminine products.

September’s wellness event will focus on healthy eating with presentations on natural versus organic food, cooking demonstrations and the benefits of eating organically. Topics for the rest of 2017 include self-care during the holiday season and reflexology.

“I’m grateful for the support for this event from the staff members who attended and those that presented,” said Casey Shattler, the EHS health and wellness coordinator. “There was something for everyone, and it was so well received that we had requests to hold a similar event for our EHS families. I’m excited about the possibility of sharing with our families some of these strategies on how to be green.