Announcement
The health promotion program at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Salt Lake City works to help refugee families navigate the US healthcare system and improve access to health & wellbeing services, including leading nutritional groups and workshops, psychosocial groups, and more! In early June, the IRC health team supported a group of 7th and 8th-grade girls to participate along with over 100 teams in a 5k race put on by Girls on the Run Utah!
This year's Girls on the Run 5K theme was: Confidence through
Accomplishment!
Accomplishment!
Photo: Girls on the Run
For ten weeks, the group of teen girls met weekly, covering a range of topics via Girls on the Run curriculum then training for the 5k as a group. Afterwards, they would do a short exercise activity! Their training was completely intuitive, and the girls were encouraged to listen to their bodies and challenge themselves within their personal limitations. Many of the girls who participated, joined the program as strangers who spoke different languages, but over the ten weeks, they became supportive friends.
The day of the race, participants invited friends and family to come support the 5k! Girls on the Run provided scholarships for each of the girls to participate free of charge along with new running shoes. The group was excited to participate in this together and rally behind the hard work they had put in leading up to the race. One of the participants in particular invited her family into her favorite new hobby, and would take her brothers on runs at the park to help her train for the 5k.! The girls learned about what a healthy hobby can do for your lifestyle and mental health, and many of them had the chance to share their passion with their family and loved ones!
Participants with the IRC finished as a team and celebrated their hard work!
Photo: Girls on the Run
“Opportunities like this are meant to plant the seed of activities available and opportunities that are presented,” said Kaitlin Campbell, health promotion coordinator, “Maybe they will find a small passion for something and they will stick to it.”
The health promotion team facilitated this opportunity for the group to further their goal to approach health holistically, combining the physical, mental and emotional aspects of health. Navigating the health system is not enough for refugees to thrive in a new place, it is also about finding community, friendship and activities that improve quality of life. For teenage youth, the health promotion team has observed a growing gap of support: the youth do not have regular access to outdoor spaces and are often disconnected from their peer group. Teenagers who move to the United States need an uplifting structure, and psycho-social support to navigate the time of life they are in.
The IRC in Salt Lake City health team is hoping to expand program opportunities for youth and young adults. By providing a monetary gift or raising connections of partnership to provide access to new equipment, community members can support future activities of this nature. Make a one-time gift or start a monthly contribution today at Rescue.org/GiveSLC.
Do you have an idea for a future partnership? Contact us at [email protected] to start the conversation!