Vegging Out While Volunteering

A few fabulous NFHC Corps members spent their Saturday serving the community and learning new things at the Northeast Florida VegFest.

The Third Annual Northeast Florida VegFest, presented by The Girls Gone Green and Northeast Florida Vegetarian Society took place November 3, 2012 at Riverside Park in Jacksonville. The event was free to the public and promoted healthy, sustainable, plant-based nutrition.

The event had many local vegan and vegetarian food vendors, farmers, environmental organizations and animal rescues. There were many cooking demonstrations and tasty samples to try!

Health Corps members were busy throughout the day helping hand out samples of healthy foods and getting creative in the kids zone. Crafts included making magic with environmentally friendly wands, recycled magazine collages, and toilet paper tube owls.

Sarah & Anneke in the Kids Zone. Photo Courtesy of the Girls Gone Green

"I think that eating healthier is very important. The VegFest was a great way to show the community about healthier eating options and expose people to alternative products that are not as harmful to the environment or our bodies. And it was in a great location! 

I volunteered at the Kid Zone and helped kids make environmentally friendly crafts with recycled material and vegan paint. I enjoyed the experience! The kids made some really cute little critters." -- Anneke Demmink 

"Ask A Question, Save A Life"

Half of the North Florida Health Corps dedicated Wednesday evening to learning a potentially life-saving skill when it comes to suicide prevention.

The Daniel Foundation hosted a "Question, Persuade, Refer" training in which Corps members learned to spot warning signs, utilize simple techniques for talking about suicide and referring those in need to help. The training also included many resources in the local area. We know this skill will help us throughout our service when dealing with clients in tough, emotional situations.

Here is what members had to say about being trained in QPR:

"The QPR training would be definitely helpful at my host site since many clients I see are in tight financial situations or feeling at their low-point, which some will talk negatively about their life. After receiving the training, I can better guide the conversation into a positive outlook and help them seek help when a need is expressed." -- Mandy Chan


"The tools provided through the training have made me feel more prepared to deal with such situations.  In addition, the training really just opened my eyes to the entire prevention approach in general; I would not have been able to tell you even one step to assisting a person through this type of life struggle.  The sheer number of suicides attempted and accomplished in the country, in Florida, and in Duval County is astounding!  And to know that others can positively influence this number through awareness, information, and care is remarkable.  I believe that this is a valuable training for not only members of medicine and public health, education, and other similar occupations and industries, but valuable to all people of our community so that we can all stand to prevent suicide." -- Alicia Seggelink

Running before we could walk

Our service term has started and we’re in full swing! While we settle into our host sites and get to know our mentors, we’re also learning a great deal about Jacksonville and the needs and interests of the community.

Members Krystal Kelly, Sheila Rahimpour, and Lauren Hudak
work on the siding of Habitat for Humanity home.
Photo by Tatiana Giustizia

The North Florida Health Corps has already begun making a difference in Jax with not one, but two Saturdays at Beaches Habitat for Humanity. Our members sported hard hats and got their hands dirty in order to provide affordable housing for low-income families.

"My favorite part was helping to build a house. I did not think I could do that type of work, but I was able to contribute to the project, which was a good feeling. It was a fun and positive experience."
-Sheila Rahimpour

Our outside service impact doesn’t stop there. NFHC members have found a variety of ways to serve the community with events like the Girls Gone Green “VegFest” and training in Question, Persuade, and Refer suicide prevention with Florida Youth Suicide Prevention. Look for posts about these soon!

We’re looking forward to a fun, service-filled term with plenty of news to keep our reader’s updated!

If you are in the Jacksonville, FL area and your organization would like to partner on a health-related service project, please contact us.

- Abby Bradford