Wellness Highlights of 2017

January 5, 2018

 

Submitted by The Wellness Center

Gila River Indian Community

 

The Gila River Indian Community Tribal Recreation and Wellness Program is a unique program in that it is not a district specific program but services the entire Community through their programs and activities.

 

As the 2017 year ends the Tribal Recreation and Wellness program would like to thank the Gila River Indian Community, Tribal Departments, Districts and the GRHC in helping make all the classes, events and programming a success. This past year the Tribal Recreation & Wellness program broke records in attendance, targeting the youth, adults and elders in a variety of fitness classes.  This program is here to spread the word that fitness does not have to be hard and you can still have fun while working out. These classes and events are provided in all seven districts. I am very proud of my staff who all work hard to provide these services for you.  They are dedicated to help this community work together to what we call here as:

 

“Be GRIC Fit” and fight against diabetes.

 

The mission of The Tribal Recreation & Wellness department is to provide recreation, fitness, and wellness opportunities to the Gila River Indian Community. We strive to enhance a healthy lifestyle and well-being in a safe and welcoming environment to meet the physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual needs of our residents and all those who serve the community.

 

Some highlights and pictures of the past years events include:

 

  • TRW was able to provide a variety of different Elder classes to all districts, which had increased the participation from 24 Elder’s in 2016 to 455 elders in 2017.

 

  • The 1st annual Community Mud Dash Run with a total of 300 + participants.

 

  • Successfully completed the first Elder’s only Fitness walk in D5.

 

  • The 1st departmental weight lost team challenge with a total of 150 participants. The top 5 teams who won this challenge lost a total of 301 lbs.

 

  • The 1st certified GRIC only Referee & Scorekeeper training for all GRIC leagues and tournaments held in the community which provided some income for GRIC members.

 

  • Introduced new elder focused programs such as Matter of Balance, Chair Zumba and more. 

 

  • Introduced new adult group fitness classes such as Zumba in the dark and Incycle Spin.

 

  • The Road to Trail of Doom which included a new and different event each week: Zombie Zumba (40+), Day of the Dead lift (82+), 5K Run (100), Madhouse Workout (41+) and the final main event Trail of Doom which introduced a new Trick or Treat Walk, Fitness Games and more. This year’s main Trail of Doom event totaled a record number of 1,150 participants including 19 departments and 73 volunteers.

 

  • Established positive collaborative relationships with numerous departments such as Genesis, CPAO, District Recreation departments, Fine Feather, GRBC, Tribal Health Department, Boys and Girls Club, Life Center, locally owned businesses and more.