The three-day a week fitness workout at Garden City Shopping Centre is hitting a right note among the seniors living in North Winnipeg. Thanks to the community partnership initiative by the Garden City Shopping Centre, the Seven Oaks School Division and the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults in Manitoba (ALCOA-MB) which introduced “Acting Living Seven Oaks” a.k.a “ALSO” last January 2013.
The one-hour session offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning are delivered by volunteer peer leaders certified by ALCOA-MB. The program features low intensity strength, flexibility, and balance training at no cost. “We have a chance to do activity suited to our capability that is really fun,” commented by Millie Gonzaga, Her husband Ben Gonzaga added: “And there is some kind of fellowship here.”
Founded by Socorro “Cory” Juan, a board of trustee at the Seven Oaks School Division, who adds inspirational messaging and mental exercises while guiding each session. Ms. Juan was inspired to make appropriate physical activity accessible to seniors after graduating from the “Stepping” Up with Confidence’ Peer Volunteer Leadership Training Program which facilitated by ALCOA-MB in partnership with Winnipeg In Motion and the Manitoba Fitness Council.
“The ALSO physical activity program is a living example of the capability of older adults and the positive impact they are having in their community through their selfless efforts to encourage other older adults to participate in regular physical activity- the best medicine for maintaining health and wellness,” said ALCOA-MB executive director Jim Evanchuk.
The program organizers are exploring ways to meaningfully engage high school students in the Seven Oaks School Division as helpers in the ALSO program to help them gain a healthy perspective of ageing and to eliminate negative stereotyping of older adults. For more information about the program, visit the Customer Service Booth at Garden City Shopping Centre.
