“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
~ Mother Teresa
A new program at OCAD University is facilitating a diverse group of students interested in community engagement, meaningful professional opportunities and health promotion. The Peer Wellness Educator program at the Health & Wellness Centre, facilitated by Peer Support Facilitator Alex McLaren and Nurse Jen Ko, supports student volunteers in collaborating to design, organize and implement physical and mental health education initiatives on campus.
One of the outcomes of the initiative has seen the Peer Wellness Educators operationalize a monthly cooking club in which they teach each other to make nutritious, delicious and economical recipes while building community through a shared meal. Cooking Club is made by generous support from OCAD U’s First Generation program and Writing & Learning Centre, and a few of the Club’s recipes are shared here for your enjoyment.
Chow Mein Recipe
Lotus Root Salad Recipe
Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe
Also among the Peer Wellness Educators accomplishments was a Wellness Fair to help the OCAD U community manage stress during the exam and critique period, and they’re currently working on a mental health campaign directed at artists and designers.
The program has been funded through a one-time grant from the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services, for which a qualitative research study of the experience of the program has been undertaken by the facilitators. If you’re interested in becoming a Peer Wellness Educator, please contact Jen Ko at jko@ocadu.ca to sign up and get more information.
Volunteer with us to make OCADU a healthier place as a Peer Wellness Educator! For more info or to sign up, email Nurse Jen Ko jko@ocadu.ca pic.twitter.com/HeSZl5hogu
— OCAD U HWC (@OCADUHWC) May 3, 2017
