It is an honor to welcome you to this edition of Community Health magazine! I think you will find the information interesting and enjoy seeing your co-workers in the spotlight for their commitment to physical and mental wellness.

Carrie Abbott is the Senior Learning Manager at Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.

I value being part of an organization so committed to offering programs and incentives that continuously encourage wellness as Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has done for more than five years. Not only have I personally saved a lot of money on my health insurance premiums and earned PTO days through the GOOD Health incentives over the years, I have also benefited from learning and implementing many positive health habits as a result of GOOD Health Challenges, Lunch & Learns and Wellness Fairs.

One of my favorite GOOD Health Challenges was the Volunteer Challenge that ran this summer. Feeling the positive effects from volunteering while learning a lot in the process has been great! Spending time with at-risk youth through Goodwill’s Youth Mentoring Program has had many payoffs that far outweigh any frustrations. Watching one young lady get her first job, then graduate from high school and make plans for college was very rewarding. Hearing a girl say that the highlight of her week was that I showed up that day turned into the highlight of my month! I hope you have found a way to volunteer in your community that feeds your own passions.

Our GOOD Health Program has also contributed to my healthier eating habits after a Lunch & Learn with a nutritionist, which in turn led to me feeling better and having more energy. Other Lunch & Learns have positively impacted my physical activity, my retirement savings and my health through preventative measures.

This edition is packed with information about our upcoming GOOD Health activities. The article about fermented foods has me trying new foods and feeling better, as well — make sure you check it out! If nothing else, I hope you are inspired to try something new like some of your colleagues in this issue: A new healthy eating habit, a new physical activity to enjoy, a new way to help your community or a new way to think about wellness.

I hope to see you at the many events for GOOD Health Week 2017 in September!

Be well!

This link will take you back to our Goodwill of the Finger Lakes main page http://www.CommunityHealthMagazine.com/Community/New_York/Goodwill_Finger_Lakes/