SHAREing & CAREing Program Manager Merryl Reichbach, LCSW presented Chair Stretching, Meditation and General Wellness Part 1 on July 16, 2018. 17 students and 2 ALC staff attended. The students were primarily Beginner and Intermediate English Language Learners.

Our chair stretching and meditation program at the Elmhurst Library ALC is very popular and was designed to be widely accessible. Students participated fully in this program and reported, at the end, that they felt more relaxed about learning English and managing life in what is, for many of them, a new country.

SHAREing & CAREing’s library wellness programs are one of our strongest outreach tools for reaching underserved members of the Queens community. Learning Center Manager Michelle Johnston reports that students have come to the center for one of our monthly programs and learn about other services they can make use of, including learning English as a Second Language classes and accessing case management services. Likewise, we have found that Adult Learning Center students and community members who attend our wellness workshops, are happy and often surprised to learn about our cancer support services and linkages to free and low-cost screenings and health care.

As a result of this group, one participant, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently undergoing treatment, has sought out our group and individual counseling support.