People, Inc. piloted a nine-week Healthy Cooking Class for ten clients using a mini-grant from Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc. during the spring of 2007 at the Diman Regional Technical Vocational High School kitchens after school hours. Taught by 21-year veteran Diman instructor Jeffrey Coulombe, the class meets one afternoon a week to prepare a meal using healthy cooking techniques. The program is expected to be one of a series of classes that will be offered to clients this fall that will include a walking group and a weight-watchers group. (The agency also provides a Recreation Supports Program for clients.) In addition to the nutrition training offered to clients, People, Inc. has also provided over 40 direct care staff training in nutrition and food safety. For more information, contact People, Inc. Program and Staff Development Coordinator Ed Hill at 508-679-5233.
 

(Top row, left) Rita Lizotte and Donna Sieminski start preparing a chef's salad for the meal. (Top row, center) Melanie Byrne gets some tips in cutting tomatoes from Diman student Theresa Tavares. (Top row, right) Students receive their instructions for preparing the evening's meal from Diman Culinary Arts Instructor Jeffrey Coulombe. (Middle row, left and right) Mr. Coulombe gives Jim Omerod some tips on the recipe and then instructs Shawn Morty on how to steam corn on the cob. (Bottom row, left) Mr. Coulombe and Jim Cordeiro watch as Jim Omerod trims some of the fat from a slab of beef. (Bottom row, center) Susan Alpernaz and Patty PatIwanski work with some risen bread dough. (Bottom row, right) House Manager Nicole Souza shows Rita Lizotte one of the medals that each of the student received for completing the course.