Sky Lakes Wellness Center’s mission is to empower everyone to live a healthier life by practicing preventive medicine. Our vision is to demonstrate a more effective healthcare model that strengthens health and wellbeing through chronic disease prevention and reversal, community policy and built environment efforts, and innovation. Hosting a FoodCorps member equips us to take an innovative approach to prevention and community policy by engaging students and school communities in their health at a young age. We believe food is medicine and that the earlier habits are formed, the easier it is to sustain them in the long-term. Klamath Falls City Schools is dedicated to helping all students do their best work and become their best selves.

Both of our partnering schools are currently Blue Zones-approved and have a strong culture of health already in place. They are well-poised to host a member in the coming year to strengthen and build students’ connections to healthy food. The service member will work in two elementary schools within the district of Klamath Falls City Schools (KFCS), one of two school districts in the Klamath Falls community. Service member activities include teaching nutrition, garden, and science-based classroom lessons for kindergarten and third grade students, utilizing a grow tower in the school cafeteria as learning and taste-testing opportunities for students, collaborating with Klamath County School District, OSU Extension and Chartwell’s to highlight one local food item in the cafeteria each month, and building relationships with school nutrition services and Chartwell’s. There will be 4 service members serving in Klamath County for the 22-23 school year, and this is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with other members and across districts to create a larger impact within the Klamath Falls community.

Being a FoodCorps Oregon member is being part of a joyful and close-knit cohort of 8, serving in 4 diverse communities across the state. We connect both virtually and in-person throughout the year, with regular opportunities for professional development, connection, and community. Our state team includes a FoodCorps Oregon alum, and an educational leader & former classroom teacher. We’re here to ensure you get the support you need as you create joyful experiences with food for kids at school! Oregon is full of incredible food systems organizations and food justice projects, and you’ll be encouraged to explore your post-FoodCorps career with one of our many community partners, as one of 1000+ members of the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network.