Tag: Community Service

Don’t put a sock in it: CRPD opens up the conversation about Down syndrome awareness on World DS Day

Posted on by CRPD Communications

 

On Thursday, March 21, Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) celebrated its third consecutive year contributing to Down syndrome awareness. In honor of World Down Syndrome Day, CRPD employees in the District Office wore wacky socks to work, participating in the #rockyoursocks campaign. To participate, CRPD posted a photo of the team’s wacky socks to various social media platforms, hoping to bring awareness and begin conversations about disability dialogue.

 
 

“The idea for socks denotating the day came from the chromosomes themselves. Before you have a child, when you do the genetic tests and look at a picture of the baby’s chromosomes, the chromosomes look like little socks,” Brooke Daly, Vice President of the Down Syndrome Association of Connecticut, said.

 
 

“Socks are such an easy and fun way to get people involved. Plus, they are a conversation starter. The whole point of the awareness day is to get the conversation about disabilities started. In general, I’d say talking about disabilities is still not the most comfortable topic. But if we can bring awareness to Down syndrome and discuss openly what it is and what it is not, we can remove the rumors and fear that surround it simply because its unfamiliar,” Brooke said.

 

Brooke has firsthand experience understanding the misconceptions about Down syndrome. Before her son, now six years-old, Brooke says she knew very little about Down syndrome. “Until I had to face it personally, my knowledge about Down syndrome was limited. Now, I spend a lot of my time trying to help people understand the genetic condition and encouraging others to have conversations about it. Sometimes I’ll just be at the grocery store and see another child is interested in my son’s differences. When that happens, I encourage the parent and child to come talk and bond with him, so they can see that he’s more alike than different. My town was very receptive to the Down syndrome awareness push and now all schools, businesses, coffee shops – you name it – in our area celebrate the day and help us spread awareness physically and digitally,” Brooke said.

 
 

About WDSD: World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) occurs every year on March 21. The significance behind the date 3/21 comes from the genetic condition itself: having 3 copies of a 21st chromosome is also known as Down Syndrome. The extra chromosome affects behaviors, appearances and mental processing time, which often leads to a need for extra help in traditional education systems. While schools have implemented special needs programs, it is important for all businesses to participate, demonstrating awareness, support and spread the belief that ‘knowledge is power.’

 

Join the campaign and rock your (crazy) socks for World Down Syndrome Day to celebrate unique differences that make the world brighter.

 

One Step At A Time: CRPD Recognized For Dedication To Community Health And Connection In 2019

Posted on by CRPD Communications

 

On Thursday, Mar. 7, Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) accepted an Excellence in Design award from the California Park and Recreation Society (District 2) for the fitness course addition to Lincoln Village Community Park. Beyond this, CRPD recently received an instructor training grant from the National Recreation and Park Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which allows the District to provide the Walk With Ease program to the community. This program will be held at Lincoln Village Community Park beginning April 1.

 

While CRPD’s programs have long been centers of health and wellness in the community, parks and facilities had yet to offer a free workout environment. After the Lincoln Village Community Park walking paths were upgraded last year, the Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center members expressed an interest in “gym-quality” equipment to supplement the District’s aerobic offerings. Inspired by neighboring parks and recreation agencies and their residents, CRPD launched the Outdoor Fitness Course Project: a multi-agency, non-profit partnership between the Cordova Recreation and Park District, the City of Rancho Cordova, and the Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center Advisory Board.

 

CRPD Park Planner Cristina James, the project lead, spoke to the growing popularity of outdoor fitness courses and how the course will benefit the community. “Research shows that working out in nature and sunlight triggers chemicals in your brain that help you sleep better! After we’d heard from residents about their wishes and seen more research regarding the mental and physical health benefits, we were convinced that providing an outdoor fitness course was exactly what the community needed,” Cristina said.

 

Beyond the health benefits, the District felt an outdoor fitness course would also provide a welcoming, social environment that differed from a traditional gym. “Having fitness equipment outside makes it feel like an adult playground in some ways. It was exciting to have the opportunity to transition empty space into shared, endorphins-producing space that fosters social connection between the older and younger generations,” Cristina said.

 

For this project to become a reality, CRPD relied on public outreach to shape the design of the accessible, state-of-the-art, 5-piece course, and funding from the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement Fund. With a matching amount and in-kind labor provided by CRPD, the Lincoln Village Community Park fitness course came to life and is now able to provide an environment for thousands of residents to engage in an active lifestyle.

 

Now, with CRPD’s new Walk with Ease (WWE) program, developed by the Arthritis Foundation, District Recreation staff will receive grant-funded training to continue increasing activity in community members daily routine. Studies by the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and the Institute on Aging at the University of North Carolina have shown that WWE helps reduce pain and stiffness associated with arthritis, offers benefits for people managing other chronic conditions, contributes to reduced pain, increased balance and strength, increased levels of physical activity, and improved overall health.

 

“Walking can offer numerous health benefits to people of all ages and fitness levels. It may also help prevent certain diseases and even prolong your life. This grant from NRPA and the CDC allows us to add a new way for community residents to fulfill daily recommended exercise, and all you need to start is a sturdy pair of walking shoes,” District Administrator Patrick Larkin said.

 

As one of only 40 park and recreation agencies across the country to be awarded the WWE instructor training grant, CRPD’s fitness instructors will receive grant-funded training so they may offer the best level of service to the community. “We are extremely grateful to be the recipient of the WWE grant because it allows us to continue to help our community keep fit in mind, body and spirit,” Heather Schelske, Recreation Supervisor at the Neil Orchard Senior Activities Center, said.

 

The Walk with Ease program will be offered three times per week for six weeks by certified and trained instructors. The classes are ideally suited for seniors 50+ who are interested in a low-impact exercise program in their local community, especially those looking to manage a chronic condition. The program is scheduled to begin Monday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, visit cordovarpd.gov/programs/active-senior.

 

CRPD Donates 40 Gifts to Children In Need

Posted on by CRPD Communications

 

On December 17, Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD) staff donated 40 gifts to 10 homeless children in partnership with the Folsom Cordova Unified School District Homeless Student Services. CRPD “adopted” these four homeless families for the holiday season, reflecting a fierce commitment to their mission to serve the needs of their diverse and growing community.

 

Director of this endeavor, CRPD’s Administrative Specialist Gail Bair, reached out to the school district a few years ago to see how CRPD could help the homeless in the community. “The children we provide for are in kindergarten through high school who live locally but don’t have homes. The wonderful thing about the Homeless Student Services program is that throughout the year they provide basic needs that we take for granted like clothes, hygiene products and school supplies, for these children. So, what is magical about this partnership during this season is we can step it up a notch and help give these kids elements of a childhood with games, coloring books, stuffed animals, etc.” Bair said.

 

CRPD staff members were honored when leadership presented them with this opportunity to give back. “I love to give back because there are so many families in need out there and I have the opportunity to help them have the best Christmas possible. It’s part of why I love working here,” Office Assistant Jacqueline Yoos said.

Recreation Coordinator Chase Michelotti agrees with Yoos that the spirit of giving back is what makes CRPD such a great work environment. “Having the chance to contribute to something greater brings out the best in everyone. I believe it is the responsibility of those who can give to give, so the presence of opportunities like these is really important in my work place,” Michelotti said.

 

CRPD staff wishes these families and yours a joyous holiday and Happy New Year!