CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES COMMUNITY STORY - Cottfn

Healthy eating and exercise program
This program could have many components such as community gardens,
encouragement and support for people to grow kitchen gardens and have fruit trees, and
a food bank that provides supplemental healthy food for families with limited resources.
Gardens and fruit trees can help families reduce their costs, an important consideration
in these stressful economic times. My big fat diet was cited as a good program related to
diabetes awareness. Re-connecting with a traditional diet has been proven to bring great
results. As well, women need safe and supportive programs to encourage them to
become more physically active. A wide range of recreational programs is an important
part of helping women to be more fit. Many women will need education about healthy
eating and the benefits of physical activity for them to make the necessary life style
choices.
Positive living incentives
This program could provide leadership training and build the knowledge and skills of
women related to making healthy life choices. Incentives (such as a graduation bonus
for use toward the next step in developing a career path or some type of
acknowledgement) and support for women who have achieved important milestones
(such as stages of the healing journey or fitness levels) could be an important tool for
encouraging healthy life choices.
Life-long learning
Women need many learning options, delivered in the community, to help them with
personal and career development, as well as to nurture their many interests and talents.
Many women also want to learn more about using computers for many different
purposes, including staying in touch with friends and family, enhancing work skills and
just learning about anything that interests them.
Family life
Because life has changed so dramatically in the last two generations, many families
need support with raising their children. Because women have ended up carrying the
major burden of caring for the home and the children, they have to learn to delegate
some of these responsibilities to their partners and children. One big challenge is giving
children and youth a real role in family life through appropriate chores and for adults to
find the time to have meaningful involvement with children and youth on a daily basis
Chippewas of the Thames Community Story
October 2011
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