Bellin Health Oconto Hospital, Oconto, 2024 Community Benefits
HER Program for Girls Making a Difference for Youth in Oconto County
Girls in Oconto County have a new place to come together for physical and mental wellness, nutrition, social-emotional connection — and fun! — thanks to a program from Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and Bellin Health Fitness Oconto.
HER — Health, Empowerment, Resilience is celebrating three successful cohorts in a banner first year making a difference in the lives of local girls. Tied closely to the identified community health needs of mental health, nutrition and physical activity, HER is making a name for itself as organizers plan for growth.
“The HER program is all about helping girls develop healthy habits and connect those habits to their energy levels, mental wellbeing, self-confidence, physical fitness, school performance and general health,” said program founder Kasey Eisch-Ermis. “We talk together, work out together, enjoy health snacks and create a safe, comfortable and enjoyable space where girls can learn and grow.”
HER is for all girls — outgoing or shy, engaged in school or less so, struggling to fit in or more comfortable in their skin. Classes meet weekly for two hours, giving the group ample opportunity to learn, grow and bond. Program surveys show promising results:
HER — Health, Empowerment, Resilience is celebrating three successful cohorts in a banner first year making a difference in the lives of local girls. Tied closely to the identified community health needs of mental health, nutrition and physical activity, HER is making a name for itself as organizers plan for growth.
“The HER program is all about helping girls develop healthy habits and connect those habits to their energy levels, mental wellbeing, self-confidence, physical fitness, school performance and general health,” said program founder Kasey Eisch-Ermis. “We talk together, work out together, enjoy health snacks and create a safe, comfortable and enjoyable space where girls can learn and grow.”
HER is for all girls — outgoing or shy, engaged in school or less so, struggling to fit in or more comfortable in their skin. Classes meet weekly for two hours, giving the group ample opportunity to learn, grow and bond. Program surveys show promising results:
- 100 percent of girls believed they had the appropriate education to make healthy food choices, up from 36 percent before the program started.
- 91 percent of girls believed they had the appropriate education to exercise on their own, up from 45 percent before the program started.
- 18 percent of girls did not believe their mental health was in a positive place, down from 55 percent of girls before the program started.
