YMCA honors Lay leaders

Moultrie YMcA recently held a luncheon to honor community volunteers who helped with a University of Georgia grant-funded program. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is designed to help those with a chronic illness or caregivers for anyone with a long-term health issue by emphasizing self-management techniques including stress reduction, better sleep, family and provider communication, nutrition, and physical activity.

 CDSMP is lead by two facilitators, or lay leaders. Each lay leader must go through a four-day training before he or she can co-lead a workshop. Workshop sessions are once a week for six weeks, 2.5 hours each session.

In total, one workshop will equal 15 hours, not including additional travel or preparation time for a leader. Many leaders volunteered for multiple workshops over the past two years.

Workplace Health Director, Sarah Adams, states

“Without their help, we would not have nearly had the impact in our community that we have. Last year, we logged 470 volunteer hours for this one program. So far this year, we have logged nearly 450 hours. I am so grateful for these compassionate leaders who gave their time to help others have a better quality of life!

“It reminds me of a verse in 1 Peter 4:10 – ‘Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.’ I am proud to serve in an organization with others that support our community so well!” said Workplace Health Director Sarah Adams.