Two area 4-H programs focused on promoting higher education among minority students have collaborated with Texas A&M University in San Antonio to present an educational community health and wellness event.
The 4-H Juntos club of the Harlandale ISD and the Knights 4-H club of Saint John Berchmans’ Catholic School were involved in the event as part of a public service initiative to provide information on health and wellness resources available in the community.
The event was held in the grand courtyard of the university’s Central Academic Building, with more than 115 people attending. 4-H members assisted at event displays, providing information for attendees and guiding both youth and adults through an obstacle course involving balance, coordination and endurance.
Community participants at the event included the San Antonio Police Department, Better Living for Texans, San San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, the health and kinesiology department of TAMU-SA, Our Lady of the Lake University, Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio Blood and Tissue Bank, AmeriGroup-Real Solutions, Willie Cortez Senior Center and Enrique M. Barrera Community Center.
St. John Berchmans’ 4-H club provided participants with “goody bags” containing 4-H and AgriLife Extension information, plus provided attendees with fruits and breakfast bars.
Dr. Manuel Pina, an associate professor in the department of agricultural leadership, education and communication at Texas A&M University in College Station, attended and supported the event.
Dr. Sukho Lee and students in the department of health and kinesiology at TAMU-SA provided a unique experience for attendees by providing hands-on demonstrations of equipment used for measuring or assessing physical functions such as grip strength. They also provided attendees an opportunity to experience what it feels is like to be impaired by having them wear a padded blindfold that simulated a visual impairment, then giving them a cane and walking them around the exhibition area.
Garcia noted this too was a good experience for the 4-H youth who visited the display as they would better able to understand and empathize with those who have a physical impairment.
Source: AgriLife Today
