Woonsocket Middle School students are learning some important lessons this summer here at NWBRV—most importantly, to always listen to their gut.
NeighborWorks’ C3 Center continues to expand the hearts and minds of youth this season during the Summer Learning Initiative (SLI) summer program. Courses offered to enrolled students in grades 6-9 include music, art and community service, and for the second year running in partnership with Farm Fresh RI, gardening!
Taught by CBIR Leanna O’Brien, the SLI program Fresh from the Garden, aims to teach students the importance of their gut, digestive and overall health, from the food we eat to the body products we use. Leanna spoke enthusiastically about the thought provoking program, elaborating on the importance of breaking down cultural stereotypes regarding diet choices.
“We’re essentially teaching students that what we put in our bodies is what we get out,” Leanna said. “The students are learning about the bacteria inside of our stomachs, what helps with our digestion the best, and the importance of fiber. We also learned about the importance of what we choose to put on our skin. With our skin being our body’s first line of defense, these choices make a massive contribution to our overall health.”
The first two weeks of the program were spent introducing a variety of simple homemade foods to students. Focusing on foods they may not be used to seeing daily, such as sprouts, seaweed and kimchi, exposed students to the concept that other culture’s diets may be healthier than often portrayed. Met with open minds and receptive tummies, students created their own homemade kimchi, a gut friendly Korean fermented cabbage dish, as well as their own location from shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax.
“They tried everything and they absolutely loved kimchi, which is simple and inexpensive to make in bulk,” Leanna said. “Afterwards we made the lotion, which was great because the students were able to add what they thought would work best with their skin, like lavender, rosewater and mint, all depending on what their particular skin type benefits from. They had so much fun and got to take the lotion home with them!”
In partnership with the Farm Fresh collaboration, six C3 students accompanied Leanna to the Woonsocket Farmer’s Market. Bringing in their very own Fresh from the Garden table, students were able to distribute samples and recipe cards of their kimchi and lotion, while educating market attendees on the importance of gut health and homegrown food.
“We’re excited to continue this education in the coming weeks, breaking down the stereotype that other culture’s recipes are unhealthy,” Leanna elaborated. “We’re going to be learning how other cultures use just as many vegetables as us (if not more!) and how healthy they can be. We’re going to make our own C3 cookbook based around this concept.”
While enrollment for this summer’s program is closed, it’s never too early to start looking forward to next year! With six raised garden beds available to the summer program, teaching an annual gardening-based class centered around healthy, homegrown veggies and eating, has become a yearly goal for Leanna and the staff at NWBRV.
“I like the fact that this isn’t just an ordinary camp where students come and play and have fun,” Leanna said. “We have a great time, but students can also gain so much more from their time here. Everything they’re learning separates the C3 program from other camps. That’s just one of the things I love best about it!”
Questions about this year’s program? Excited to jump on board for the fall or next summer? Contact Monique Austin at 401-762-0993, ext. 233 or maustin@neighborworksbrv.org.