In 2004, the York County Shelter Programs was awarded a Maine Health Access

Foundation, Inc. (MeHAF) grant to create and implement a new program.  This program, now called the “Healthy Habits Center” is located on our main campus in Alfred.  All clients in any of our programs are encouraged to attend.  The Healthy Habits Center is located in an old, original Shaker Barn that was rehabilitated with some of the grant money.  Within the Barn, there is a classroom for group activities.  In addition, the Barn hosts a huge gymnasium which encompasses a variety of exercise equipment for client use.  The Barn is also home to our Food Pantry, which is located on the lower level.

The Healthy Habits Center relies primarily on experiential learning modalities to modify and improve current habits.  A full-time Healthy Habits Program Director has designed and implemented a curriculum for our clients.  This curriculum includes group and individual work that directs clients towards making better choices and healthier lifestyles.

In addition to the Healthy Habits Program Director, a variety of facilitators from the surrounding community provide education as well as a variety of learning sessions.  Some activities offered at the Center include:  the effective use of psychiatric medication, child development assessments, parenting skills training, dental hygiene, nutritional meal planning and preparation, smoking cessation, and self care.

The Healthy Habits Program Director works directly with the Residential Case Managers and the clients to develop Health Care Plans.  These plans are monitored weekly and chart a client’s progress in making better choices.

The Healthy Habits Center Offers:

- daily exercise program

- living skills training

- smoking cessation classes

- nutrition classes

- cooking demonstrations

- parenting skills training

- expressive arts program

- STD/HIV prevention and testing

- fire and safety prevention

- relaxation classes

- anger management classes

- health plan goal setting

The following agencies provide learning sessions for our clients at the Healthy Habits Center:

- Frannie Peabody Center

- York County Community Health Care

- H.D. Goodall Hospital

- Alfred Fire and Rescue

- Planned Parenthood

- University of Maine at Orono

  Cooperative Extension

- York County Community Action

- Counseling Services Inc.

- Healthy Families Program

- Literacy Volunteers of Greater

  Sanford

Kristen Weigand, Volunteer Coordinator of the Animal Welfare Society of West Kennebunk (on right) and Steve Coutreau, Healthy Habits Program Director at the York County Shelter Programs, have developed an opportunity for both shelters to work together collaboratively in many capacities.

Ben Browne (on left) and Steve Coutreau  bring residents

on several fishing and swimming  trips.

Residents who wish can visit the Ray Angers Community Farm in West Newfield and help for the day.

Michelle Archibald from Goodall Hospital educates clients about smoking cessation.

Healthy

Habits

Center

Steve Cotreau is instrumental in the success of Wrendy Hayne’s beautiful memorial garden.

The educational classroom in the Healthy Habits Center.

Steve Cotreau and Carol Adams help to organize the tie-dye class.

Carol Adams organizes a walk through the orchards.

The tie-dye shirts hang out to dry.

Residents are encouraged to participate in art classes.