Volunteer Spirit Drives Workplace Wellness Programs

n 1994, a small group of human resource professionals came together in Fresno to talk about improving the health of their companies’ workers. This group became the Central Valley Wellness Council, which today offers a number of wellness resources to businesses in the Fresno area.

During its first four years, the council relied primarily on small grants from local businesses and was managed entirely by volunteers. It later became a project of the San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium, allowing the council to establish an office. In March 1999, the council used a two-year, $103,000 grant from TCWF to hire its first and only paid staff member, who manages the database, distributes materials to members and handles general administrative duties.

"The council was started by volunteers, which is in keeping with the spirit of how things are done here in the Central Valley, where people just get together and figure out how to solve their problems," said Dr. Jerry Davoli, professor of health sciences at California State University, Fresno, and volunteer president of the Wellness Council. "We can attribute our success to the commitment of our board members, area health practitioners and the San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium."

Council members include human resource personnel, small business owners, shift supervisors, health practitioners and "anyone who is interested in improving worker morale and productivity, and cutting down on costs," Davoli said.

Members receive quarterly newsletters, attend quarterly luncheons and have access to the council’s library, which houses both local and national information about worksite health promotion. Each member also receives a free copy of the council’s Resource Directory, a compilation of local organizations offering health-related services to businesses.

Members most commonly request and receive information about stress management, exercise, nutrition and injury prevention. Luncheons have also featured guest speakers addressing topics such as smoking cessation, medical self-care and the availability of worksite wellness resources on the Internet.

The council is hoping to enhance its funding base by increasing corporate sponsorships and recruiting additional members, who pay annual dues of $45 each. According to the council’s recruitment materials, joining the council and creating wellness programs offer companies powerful incentives such as increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, decreased employee turnover and enhanced company pride.

"Worksite wellness programs provide a critical avenue for providing health information and education to Fresno residents," said Ruth Brousseau, TCWF senior program officer. "They are especially valuable for workers who, for any number of reasons, may not otherwise have access to basic preventive health care resources."

Grantees Use Policy Advocacy

Interpreters break down language barriers

Home visits connect kids to health care

Teen-to-teen pregnancy prevention

Violence prevention for incarcerated youth

Workplace wellness programs

Padres promote health on radio

Grants Program

Application process

Grants listing

Staff Profile

What's New

Credits

All rights reserved. Property of The California Wellness Foundation.
©1998 The California Wellness Foundation. Terms of Use Agreement.
6320 Canoga Avenue, Suite 1700, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
Phone: (818) 702-1900. Comments to the Webmaster at tcwf@cwf.tcwf.org