Building on the very successful 2009 Fitness Challenge, the third annual Challenge sponsored by the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI), Children In Balance, Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Fall River YMCA and Healthy City Fall River was kicked-off with a press conference at the Diman School of Practical Nursing on October 15, 2009. The event signaled a new collaboration between nursing students in the Diman program and nursing students at the University of Massachusetts School of Nursing that will pair Fitness Challenge participants with students. The process will start with a Fitness Challenge Warm-up that will begin on October 17, 2009, and run until December 12th to give former Challenge participants an opportunity to begin their fitness regimen before the holidays. The third Challenge event will begin on January 9th and run until May 8, 2010. The October 17th event will give participants a chance to get a complete health profile, including cholesterol check done by Southcoast Hospital and blood pressure, heights, weight and waist circumference measured by the nursing students. Students will then be paired with participants to act as "fitness partners" until December. Challenge participants will be able to access the CD-REC fitness center and fitness programs at CD-REC and the YMCA at a reduced rate. Click here for the Herald News article about the event. For more information, contact CD-REC at 508-679-2299.

(Top row, left and center) CD-REC program director Jamison Souza introduces WIC Nutrition Program nutrition director Carol Weber, Children in Balance project manager Marcia Picard, People Inc Director of Family Advocacy and Community Education Jenny DiBlasi, nutritionist Jessica Williams, CD-REC director Grace Gerling and Diman School of Practical Nursing director Barbara Pitera. (Top row, right) Ms. Pitera describes the benefits of having students directly involve in health assessment and teaching with Challenge participants. (Middle row, left) UMass student Lance Bard talks about his involvement in the project. (Middle row, right) UMass-Dartmouth College of Nursing faculty member Kathy Flanagan describes the educational resources that her students will provide Challenge participants. (Bottom row, center) As Diabetes Association director Candice Foster, Carol Weber, Marcia Picard, Jenny Diblasi and Jessica Williams listen as Healthy City Fall River coordinator Dr. David Weed gives an overview of efforts to improve the health status of Fall River residents. (Bottom row, right) Ms. Williams and Ms. Gerling listen as personal trainer Amy Jones of  Where Is The Work-Out talks about her experience with the Fitness Challenge over the past two years.