No One Eats Alone Program for Schools

Date: 02/23/23

Western Sky Community Care Create a Culture of Belonging as They Celebrate No One Eats Alone Day

 

 

Building a culture of belonging makes schools and communities stronger. A positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion among students was celebrated this year in New Mexico schools with the help of Western Sky Community Care. The schools included Lynn Middle School in Las Cruces, Kennedy Middle School in Albuquerque and Mesa Middle School in Roswell.

Representatives from Western Sky Community Care hosted events in honor of No One Eats Alone® Day, created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences™. Approximately 100 students participated in activities designed to teach them about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on health and academic performance. With in-class lessons, interactive exercises and a creative art project that focuses on empathy, students worked together to make their school more welcoming and accepting for everyone.

“At Western Sky, we’re committed to helping children lead healthier lives, and that includes educating and empowering youth to promote inclusion,” said Jean Wilms, Western Sky Community Care CEO. “We are proud to partner with Beyond Difference to celebrate No One Eats Alone Day and give students in New Mexico the tools they need to remain focused on their health and social lives.”

“This year’s No One Eats Alone lesson plans get to the root of social isolation by teaching students about empathy to build connection and belonging. Our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Teacher’s Guide also includes FIRE: Fostering Immigrant + Refugee Empowerment, a featured curriculum from our National Teen Board of high school students who have first-hand experience with these struggles, and who created activities to promote acceptance and belonging,” said Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Difference.

 

No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.