From yoga to gymnastics, boxing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and more women are discovering new ways to get active. And it’s all free.
The Women’s Wellness Program started in September and offers a busy schedule of activities for women. It’s run by the Centre Passerelle pour femmes thanks to a provincial grant, with programming being offered until March 2019.
Since it started, co-ordinator Karine Denis said more than 400 women have taken part in the activities each month, which means there have been over 2,000 participants so far.
“It’s really amazing to hear women coming forward with these testimonials of the positive impact it’s had on their lives,” she said, explaining some women are finding different passions.
The activities are provided at different fitness centres throughout the community and are diverse.
There are low impact options such as yoga or pilates, as well as more intense activities like cross fit. After receiving feedback about wanting to go outdoors, a cross-country skiing night was added at Porcupine Ski Runners.
“We’re really listening to what the community is saying to us as well, we like to have a variety of different types of activities,” she said.
To get more feedback from participants, there are three evaluative study sessions next month.
They are partnering with the Universite de Hearst for the sessions, which are confidential.
“We want to explore women’s experiences and opinions about the program in order to really help us improve the program and make the program even more accessible to all women in our community,” said Denis.
The first is in French and will be March 19 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Universite de Hearst Timmins campus, 395 Theriault Blvd. The other two sessions are in English and will be March 23 at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, 179 Kirby St., and March 29 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Universite de Hearst Timmins campus.
Timmins Transit tickets are available for women needing assistance getting to the events. Participating women also get $20 gift card for Timmins Square.
Registration is required and can be done by emailing Emily Brousseau at by email by March 2.
By learning about any other barriers preventing women from participating, Denis said it will help when they apply for another grant.
“There is hope that this program will continue, that’s our intent — to bring forward another grant proposal in hopes to continue this program because we see there’s a real need in the community,” she said.
“Almost every week we have women sending us emails, or calls or messages on our Facebook page just letting us know how this program has impacted their lives in such a positive way, so we want to keep this going.”
Stay up-to-date with the what's happening on the monthly activity calendar, along with any schedule changes, on the Women’s Wellness Program’s Facebook page.
