Wellness House Proposal 2001-02 Mission Statement: The Wellness House for the 2001-02 school year will strive to create an environment conducive to healthy living both for the residents of the house and the greater campus community. We hope that the house can become a resource for anyone in the campus community desiring to live a healthier lifestyle. We will create a supportive base within the house by creating an environment of mutual respect and understanding among the house members who having the common goal of healthy living. Through the community we create in the house we will be able to reach out to the campus community more effectively to educate and help maintain all aspects of their health, including but not limited to: Emotional Health Mental Health Physical Health Sexual Health Spiritual Health Social Health Educational Design: Through the community we will create as a house as well as through programming we plan to address the following outcomes and an experiential education: Leadership: We will promote the leadership skills of the house members by providing educational programming and acting as examples for the campus. Such leadership skills as initiative, planning, and implementing programs concurrent with the stated mission of the house will be of continuing benefit to the house members. Through our programs the campus will be presented with many aspects and health and healthy lifestyles they might choose to adopt thus promoting their leadership in their own lives. Intercultural Understanding: Knowing that there are many ways to be "well" all over the world we will explore some of these ideas of health and wellness to broaden our cultural understanding. Many K students come into contact with these practices and standards for wellness and we understand that learning the ideas of others can be very beneficial in our own lives. Social Responsibility: As a member of a community we have a responsibility to the other members of that community. As a unit the Wellness House will be an example of healthy living by maintaining the standards set forth in our mission statement and an educational resource for the campus. Career Readiness: Living as a community we will learn to function together and effectively resolve conflicts; skills that will be a continual benefit to the healthy environment we wish to create in our lives. Through our programming efforts and the leadership they require we will also gain preparation for future careers and opportunities. Lifelong Learning: In the Wellness House we will learn about our own health and hopefully show others that a healthy outlook and lifestyle will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Tentative Programming Plans: Through educational and enjoyable programs the Wellness House will establish itself as an open and supportive resource for the house members and the campus community. Fall: -Spa Night when the first stress of the new school year hits- we will offer stress reducing information, as well as facials and possibly massages or acupuncture. -Health and Wellness Survey- to find out the interest on campus about individual's health followed by a resource table in Hicks Center with the desired information. Possible focuses might be smoking or eating disorders -Fitness and You- promoting exercise and its benefits on mood and academic performance, maybe in conjunction with SWEAT? Winter: -Seasonal Affect Disorder/Depression Presentation and discussion -Sledding On the Quad to fight the Winter Blues -Exploring Alternative Medicine- a speaker Spring: -Picnic on the Quad- with information from the American Diabetic Association or American Dietetic Association on Meal Planning especially emphasizing their Exchange Lists' impact on everyday health. -Sponsor a marathon and donate proceeds from registration to a local clinic or health organization -The Wellness House Annual Root Beer Keg party to promote alcohol awareness, especially the dangers of binge drinking. Through our programs we hope to: - Provide a variety of activities that will be seasonally appropriate and keep people active and relaxed in our stressful academic environment. - Encourage members of the community to pursue their own wellness through the pertinent topics we address. - Create an accepting and supportive environment for the benefit of the entire campus community - Educate ourselves about our own health and the health issues on campus. We will also do this by participating in other campus organizations and providing a resource for these groups to promote health and wellness within K College and the greater Kalamazoo community. - Support any needs we find present on campus.

Check out the results of last years' Smoking Survey ( HOME )