Wellness Works!
A center located on the Stockton Campus of California State University, Stanislaus at University Park that provides wellness classes and activities to San Joaquin County CalWORKs (welfare) participants. It is a partnership between Stanislaus State and San Joaquin County Mental Health Services, the agency that contracts with the University to specifically serve the welfare population. There are several thousand persons receiving welfare in San Joaquin County. Many have obstacles to entering the work world. Various approaches are being taken to provide them with supportive services and education to become economically self-sufficient. Since December 2000, Work Wellness: The Basics, a curriculum of topics and activities based on a holistic model of wellness, has been offered two to three weeks each month. As of the end of December 2023, over 12.000 had attended classes at Wellness WORKs!
A 25 minute movie updated since released in Jan 2008.
Before a curriculum was designed, focus groups were conducted with:
- Prospective participants to determine worries and fears related to employment and their overall health
- Case managers, to elicit their perceptions about client needs
- Non-English speaking Southeast Asian participants through the use of interpreters. (Special weeks have been held for Hispanics, Hmong, Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese.)
Themes from the focus groups, literature and research on wellness and work-related needs of low-income persons, and resources actually available in the community were primary determinants in creating a program. The short-term goals were to foster positive self-esteem, improve self-care, and enhance personal and family wellness. The long-term goals were to support entry into the work world, increase success as employed citizens, and optimize their functioning as individuals, family members and parents.
Philosophy with Seven Dimensions of wellness
The teaching-learning philosophy is to provide interactive education and approaches that reflect the current holistic/integrative model of wellness to foster positive self-esteem, to improve self-care, and to enhance personal empowerment and well being. Seven dimensions of wellness and self-care are introduced at the onset of Work Wellness: The Basics. They are physical, social, environmental, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional, especially as they influence the seventh dimension, occupational wellness.
Participant Testimonials
"Wish to attend again and again and again. Will give a good report to others in need. I had a wonderful time. This should be first step for any program. CalWORKs should be sponsoring program."
"I learned a lot of stuff that I had no idea about. It helped me how to think better about myself, especially my health. It was a wonderful week!!"
"I liked this a lot. I wouldn't mind going more than a week. We were treated as people instead of "cattle" being rushed through class."
"I needed something like this to remember who I was before life took me away."
“It was a really great experience. The classes were very helpful and taught me new information that I’ll be able to use on a daily basis. I really enjoyed every single class. The instructors were all great and I felt like I could relate to them in some way.”
“This experience was something that I really needed. I learned so much that I was not aware of. I feel positive moving forward, and I am open to take more classes.
One client's answer to the question "How do you feel being referred to Wellness WORKs?" Client stated: "I have been here for 20 minutes and I thank God for this program because I truly feel I am going to get the help that I need."
“I have learned to manage stress. I came up with a meal prep plan. I have taught my son not to pick up on bad habits, 21 days is all you need to break a bad habit. I loved the program, it had useful information that I could use and what to look out for job wise, how first impressions are everything and how to go into a job interview confident.”
“I truly enjoyed these classes. It was an opportunity to learn a lot about ourselves, and the reasons we make certain decisions based on our character. I learned to uplift myself and others when given a chance. Learned how to manage anger and workplace anxieties, how to budget and manage money, many health and wellness tips to apply to my daily life.”
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank you so much for this experience. It came at the perfect time in my life while I’m on my journey to self-love. I have learned so many new things about myself that if I had not taken this class I might have never known. It’s taught me to change many things in my life, cutting out people who no longer serve me. I have learned to change my negative thinking and be happy with me. I’m Enough!! I can and I will!! I enjoyed the money management and parenting portion of the program. Overall, it provides an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, so thank you, thank you Wellness WORKs! does work! I really enjoyed it and I truly believe others would too. This has come as a blessing in my life.”
“I was not really open or wanting to do this Wellness class, but I am so happy I decided to attend. I have learned so much from how to eat healthier, mediation, how to prep for interviews. A lot of the people in the class are all going through similar things or worse, which made me a lot more comfortable knowing I am not alone. If given the chance I would love to be a part of this class again as this class was lovely and very helpful.”
Updated: July 18, 2024