UMHA plans programs at Utica Public Library

Eating healthy on a budget workshop slated for March 25

In conjunction with the North County Region Eat Smart New York, the Utica Municipal Housing Authority AmeriCorps program will hold a workshop on “Eating Healthy on a Budget” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at the Utica Public Library, 303 Genesee St., Utica, in the second-floor music room.

Participants will learn how to stretch their food dollars, plan and prepare easy meals and make healthy food choices.

Rides are available to the workshop from locations in the Utica area.

Many families and individuals in the area would like to learn to make healthy eating a part of their total lifestyle but have to live within tight household budgets. This workshop is designed to help people make food choices that are affordable, nutritional and set the foundation for lifelong healthy habits. It will provide tips and activities to help households plan, purchase and prepare healthy meals. As part of the workshop, participant will learn how to make and taste a sampling of a carrot raisin salad.

The Eat Smart New York Nutrition Education program provides skill-based nutrition education classes in local communities on a variety of topics like: healthy eating on a budget, smart shopping for vegetables and fruit, healthy meal planning, basic cooking and food safety skills, weight control and physical activity. The goals of the Eat Smart New York program are to eat more fruits and vegetables, drink fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, exercise more and balance calories eaten as part of a healthy lifestyle.

AmeriCorps members will be available at the workshop to help participants connect to various community programs and qualify for services. The Utica Municipal Housing Authority provides financial literacy, job search, housing, health education and veteran services to help people succeed and have a better life.

Make your college dreams come true workshop March 26

Local residents can learn how to enter college, higher education, and certificate programs at a workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, also in the second-floor music room at the Utica Public Library.

The workshop entitled, “Make Your College Dreams Come True: College, Job Training and Certificate programs for Youth and Adults,” is sponsored by the Utica Municipal Housing Authority and OnPoint for College.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Parking is in the rear. Reservations are encouraged and should be made by calling 315.735.3362, ext. 25 or 315.982.3731.

The workshop will cover the following topics: deciding upon careers, different types of college and certificate programs, the college admission process and financial aid.

Housing Authority staff will discuss available local job training and apprenticeship programs.

On Point for College Utica, in less than six years, has helped transform the lives of 1,700 low-income, first-generation youth and younger adults forward their educational dreams. Through the program, refugees, inner city residents, single moms, foster care, youth homeless and others community residents in need are able to access and succeed in college and get linked to good local jobs.

On Point for College teams up with area organizations, colleges and businesses to help empower students to overcome the challenges they face in their education journey from application to graduation.

The speaker will be Lisa Monteiro who lives in Utica and is an On Point for College Utica advisor. Monteiro holds a master of arts in clinical community counseling from Fairfield University; she has worked as a college admissions counselor, a clinical counselor teacher and a clinical case advocate.

AmeriCorps members will be available to schedule individualized employment readiness and career counseling sessions for participants.

For more information, call 315.735.5246 ext. 25 or ext. 34, 315.982.3731 or email cnyhirc@gmail.com.

These events can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UticaMHA.

By martha

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