New Partnerships Formed Via Interfaith Health Service

This month, Interfaith began a new “Healthy Lifestyles” program and partnership with Omaha’s Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), Arts for All and the Omaha Public Schools. Working with the Omaha Public School (OPS) System, the Youth Empowerment Program offers quality after-school programs to area youth from grades 4 through 12, while Arts for All seeks to bring affordable arts education through numerous programs throughout Omaha.

Because of Interfaith’s track record of collaboration and building programs that are recognized on the National level in meeting community needs, we were approached by YEP and Arts for All to consider offering a class to OPS youth. Out of twenty or so options, the OPS students voted on the four favorite classes they would like to see offered this semester. Based on budget, YEP’s board of directors narrowed those selections to two classes, and approved one class for Cartooning and Drawing and one for Zumba, a dance and physical activity movement class.

Gema, our Interfaith Health Promotora/Educator, is a Zumba certified instructor and expressed a genuine willingness to offer a first-ever Zumba class to a totally new age group. Gema has worked for three years with our Latinas in Action adults and she embraced the idea of helping Interfaith reach out to area youth. The curriculum for Gema’s class focuses on teaching the basics of Zumba, which combines elements of meringue, salsa and other dances, while bringing about a high level of physical activity, fun and healthy lifestyle choices for youth.

Over 25 students attended Gema’s first Zumba class. They received an overview of Zumba and began working with Gema immediately on getting active and learning different dance routines. The Director of the YEP Program, Miriam, shared that she was very impressed with Gema’s ability to work with the students and maintain the interest of so many different students. Judy, the Executive Director of Arts for All, also shared that the students have expressed many positive sentiments about Gema’s teaching style.

Interfaith has met so many new leaders, students and educators as a result of this Healthy Lifestyles partnership. We have also met many other outstanding staff and participants from other organizations that wish to work along side us to promote hope and healing in our community (these projects will be outlined in the future). We are blessed to be part of such a collaborative ministry and hope that with God’s blessing and your prayers, our partnerships continue to grow and thrive in the months ahead.

Virginia McGill, MA, Interfaith