During the designated week of AmeriCorps service across the country, March 10-18, many different groups organized service projects that promoted the week’s theme, “AmeriCorps Works”. At the Community Health Center, Inc. there are fourteen driven individuals that make up our HealthCorps team who volunteered their time at a CT Special Olympics event, Middletown Minds in Motion, serving lunch at St. Vincent de Paul’s, and concluded the week in New Haven at a “Healthy Living for Kids” event, Recess Rocking the day away.

 On Saturday, March 17^th, which also happened to be St. Patrick’s Day, the CHC HealthCorps sported green tie-dyed Recess Rocks shirts, and teamed up with LEAP, Inc. at their Community Center in New Haven, to help promote their AmeriCorps week celebration for the children within their program community. The event included a health fair, an arts & crafts booth, Recess Rocks sessions, and healthy cooking demonstrations for children in grades ranging from Kindergarten to Middle school. While traveling to different stations, the kids had an opportunity to learn about proper dental habits, snack on healthy treats, listen to a rocking DJ, play a little basketball, take home bags of goodies, and of course, dance with a large group of energetic CHC AmeriCorps members while getting a work-out.

 Our Recess Rocks leader, Miss Lisa Rozo, had plenty of dance moves for us to keep our muscles working hard throughout the event. There was no doubt that even the AmeriCorps members were tired at the end, but the event seemed highly successful and many children left with big smiles. The event celebrated good health, strength, wellness, fitness, energy, and fun; I think it is safe to say all of those categories were involved throughout the day in one way or another.

 Although this was the designated week of AmeriCorps service and recognition, the CHC HealthCorps members are in the process of planning our own AmeriCorps week filled with various service projects in Waterbury, CT starting on April 10.  We are more than excited to share what we have been planning so please stay tuned for more posts about our week of service. If anyone from CHC is interested in helping on any of our projects, feel free to contact either myself, or another member!