Walk with Ease « OSU Extension Internship Program

¡Hola! My name is Flor Gaspar Marquez. This summer, I had the fantastic opportunity to intern with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Lincoln County, where I focused on SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health. As I approach the end of my internship, I want to reflect on the experiences, the impact these past three months have had on me and the valuable lessons I have learned.

Flor Gaspar Marquez, OSU Extension intern in Lincoln County

When I started this internship, I outlined specific goals: improve my teaching and public speaking skills, learn more about nutrition and physical activity, and build connections with various communities. I remember my first day well. I felt both excited and nervous about speaking to large groups but ready to take on these new challenges. Looking back, I am proud of how much I have grown from being a shy intern to someone who now feels confident and capable.

During my internship, I participated in many diverse activities that enriched my experience. I was involved in the Farmers’ Market Tours, Food-Tasting events at DHS and WIC offices, and the Lincoln County Fair. I also worked with local kindergartens and camps, where my supervisors, Beatriz Botello and Jennifer Pettit, provided nutrition information while I led the physical activities. My different experiences have been rewarding and helped me develop many skills.

One of the highlights of my internship was working on two impactful programs: Walk with Ease and A Taste of Latin American Heritage. Walk with Ease is a program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that promotes daily walking to enhance joint flexibility, reduce pain, and improve overall health through gentle exercises. My goal for Walk with Ease was to lead the classes independently, and I am pleased to say I successfully achieved that. Leading a few classes on my own was a significant accomplishment and a major confidence booster for me.

The second program, “A Taste of Latin American Heritage,” focuses on teaching families about healthy eating with a focus on Latin American cuisine. This program highlights the rich, plant-based food traditions of Mexico, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Participants learned about nutrition and discovered simple, healthy cooking methods inspired by Latin American dishes. Presenting this program in Spanish, my native language, allowed me to connect deeply with the participants and share my cultural heritage.

We also started monthly Eating Well classes at the Newport Library. These classes include a cooking demonstration followed by a presentation on nutrition information and tips. Although I was initially nervous about presenting in English, with preparation and determination, I overcame this challenge and delivered the presentation successfully.

This internship has truly been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. It has equipped me with valuable skills and connections that will shape me into the kind of nurse I aspire to become. These opportunities are crucial for my growth and will help me become a skilled, knowledgeable nurse committed to serving and supporting my community. I look forward to carrying the lessons learned with me as I continue my journey.

Hello, my name is Yolanda, and this is my fourth summer interning with Oregon State University Extension Service. This summer I lead a Walk With Ease group in Nyssa. This allowed community members to engage in physical activity at least three times a week and socialize with their neighbors. The goal for starting Walk With Ease in our county was to reduce isolation rates among community members, increase physical activity and increase awareness of healthy habits. Group members also received Food Hero resources each session. Seeing community members across all age groups enjoy each other’s company as we walked each morning was rewarding. I am beyond proud of my group because everyone started by walking 10 minutes the first week and over the course of the summer have now built up to walking 30 minutes three days a week. Walk With Ease was a beneficial and engaging program I highly enjoyed teaching this summer.

Yolanda Diaz showing an individual the Food Hero website at the WIC farmer's market. — Yolanda Diaz showing an individual the Food Hero website at the WIC farmer’s market. Photo: Barbara Brody

While I’ve worked at farmers markets in the past, this year I had the opportunity to work at the WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) farmers market hosted by the Malheur County Health Department. At the WIC farmer’s market, I engaged with over 400 families sharing the Food Hero website and explaining the various features they can utilize. Majority of the families I spoke to were not aware of Food Hero and everyone found it to be a very helpful resource. It’s always a delight to use my bilingual skills to assist community members who often struggle to access resources due to a language barrier. I learned that the WIC farmers market is more than a place to buy produce or share resources. It’s also a place to connect with families and community members who share the same environment, celebrate common successes, and face similar challenges.

Malheur County ranks at a high rate of food insecurity and there is much effort from families who do their best to tackle this challenge. Being at farmers’ markets and teaching about healthy nutrition, easy access and low-cost recipes, is one way I’ve seen Malheur County Extension contribute to the prevention and recovery of food insecurity. Community outreach has been one of my favorite parts of my internship. Being from Malheur County, I deeply value the opportunity to engage with families, students and community members. It feels like a direct impact is being made, leading to positive development. I am most fortunate to have been able to serve Malheur County this summer and look forward to contributing to all the continued work there is to deliver.

Hello again! My name is Chris Vasquez and I interned for the Oregon State University Extension Service this summer in Deschutes County, specializing in SNAP-Ed and horticulture. I am going into my third year at Oregon State University where I will be studying biohealth sciences with a minor in public health on the pre-pharmacy track.

Chris Vasquez teaches Food Hero recipes to resident at Bethlehem Inn Shelter for Homeless Individuals. Photo:Michaela Twarog

I grew up in Central Oregon and was extraordinarily fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Extension Service in my home community. I decided to intern with OSU Extension this summer because I wanted to become more directly involved with my local community and more clearly understand populations I am not as experienced with. This internship taught me a lot about directly helping communities which I believe will extraordinarily benefit me in my future career endeavors. Since my last blog post, I have been productively busy with several side projects, online projects, and events. One highlight was our work with Bethlehem Inn where we taught cooking classes to homeless individuals. I could work directly with a community I was not as familiar with, a major goal I attempted to reach throughout this internship. Another highlight was the 2024 Deschutes County Garden Tour where I was able to help with tabling and guiding visitors to be more involved with the typically unfamiliar gardening community. I have also found myself working in our on-site demonstration garden, making Food Hero TikTok educational videos, attending local farmer’s markets, handing out recipes and samples at a mobile food pantry, volunteering in our plant clinic and finishing our Walk With Ease lessons at the senior center. The diversity in activities I have endured this summer allows me to leave with a strong sense of accomplishment I have been striving towards throughout my educational career. Throughout these endeavors, I have also learned to somewhat overcome my fear of public speaking. Through teaching opportunities, I have become comfortable with voicing my opinion and taking a leadership role in group dynamics. I feel that the work I have completed here will shape who I am for the rest of my professional life and inspire me to continue my community engagement efforts, as I am beyond fortunate for the opportunities presented to me during this internship.

¡Hola!

My name is Flor Gaspar Marquez, and I am from Puebla, Mexico. In 2012, I embarked on a journey to the USA, speaking zero English. However, with determination, I conquered the language barrier. Currently, I’m an Oregon Coast Community College student majoring in Nursing. My career aspiration is to work initially in the Acute Care Unit, with a future transition into Public Health. I completed my first year of studies this summer and will begin my second year this fall. My strong belief in the transformative power of education fuels my passion to serve others through healthcare. Envisioning my future role as a nurse, I see myself contributing to a local hospital dedicated to assisting Hispanic individuals who encounter language barriers in accessing medical care and understanding community services. My experiences as an immigrant inspire my commitment to supporting fellow immigrants, ensuring they receive essential care and support without language obstacles.

Flor Gaspar Marquez in Lincoln county at the county fair. Photo: Flor Gaspar Marquez

My journey with the OSU Extension in Lincoln County began in 2021 during the pandemic. I collaborated with various organizations and local nurses at COVID-19 vaccination clinics, translating for Spanish-speaking individuals and supporting vaccination efforts. This experience deepened my passion for nursing and my commitment to positively impacting the Latino community. I am deeply committed to serving diverse communities and advocating for equitable access to healthcare for all.

This summer, I’m interning with the Extension for the second time with SNAP-Ed and Family and Community Health. As I wrap up my 10^th week, I have actively participated in diverse events such as the Lincoln County Fair, Cooking Matters sessions, Farmers’ Market Tours, and Food Tasting events at DHS, local stores, and WIC. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in events at local kindergartens and camps, educating children about healthy eating habits and the importance of physical activity. In collaboration with my supervisor, we have initiated two new programs—Walk With Ease (WWE) and A Taste of Latin America Heritage. These experiences have been instrumental in boosting my confidence. Engaging with diverse communities and individuals of all ages has pushed me beyond my comfort zone, fostering significant personal and professional growth.

The WWE is an evidence-based program designed by the Arthritis Foundation that promotes daily walking to enhance joint flexibility, alleviate pain, and improve overall health through gentle exercises for everybody. Collaborating in this program has enabled me to develop essential skills such as event planning, organization, flyer design, marketing, teamwork, problem-solving, and utilizing tools like Qualtrics. These skills lay a solid foundation for my future career in nursing. I am eager to further cultivate my teaching and public speaking skills, expand my nutrition and physical fitness knowledge, and continue engaging with diverse communities. These competencies are vital for my aspirations in nursing and crucial for my growth journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives through this internship. Witnessing the positive impact of our efforts on the community brings me immense joy and reaffirms my commitment to making a difference through healthcare.

Hello everyone! My name is Karrington Troyer, and I am currently serving as an intern at Oregon State University Extension Service Family and Community Health in Malheur County for the summer of 2024. I hold a bachelor of science in kinesiology from Oregon State University, having graduated in the spring of 2023, and I am presently in my second year of pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy at George Fox University.

Adults stretching at Treasure Valley community College — Walk with Ease participants stretch at Treasure Valley Community College.
Photo: Barbara Brody

My professional focus centers on promoting physical activity, particularly among older adults, and assisting them in managing pain to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The opportunity to partake in this internship has ignited my enthusiasm for furthering community health initiatives and expanding my knowledge of available resources and programs designed to foster physical activity. In Malheur County, there is a significant demand for resources aimed at facilitating individual engagement in physical activities. Our upcoming summer programming endeavors to effectively address these gaps by providing essential support and opportunities for those of all ages to become more physically active. Recognizing the pivotal role of community health and education in the field of physical therapy, I am eager to cultivate skills that will contribute to my growth as a comprehensive practitioner.

I am excited to lead the Walk with Ease program this summer in Ontario, hosted at the Treasure Valley Community College campus. As we conclude our third week, I am deeply inspired by the commitment demonstrated by participants to enhance their well-being and maintain an active lifestyle. Additionally, my involvement with the Strong People exercise class has been gratifying. Leveraging my expertise in exercise prescription, I have been able to tailor exercises to suit individual needs and introduce new strengthening routines to our participants. Engaging with the community through physical activity remains a highlight of my day, as I draw inspiration from their dedication and commitment to self-care as they age.

Alongside engaging in various exercise classes, my fellow interns and I had the privilege of participating in QPR training. QPR, an acronym for Question, Persuade, and Refer, is a comprehensive suicide prevention program. This training equipped us with invaluable insights into identifying signs of mental health struggles and gave us effective tools to provide assistance during mental health crises. The knowledge gained from this session is not only pertinent to my professional endeavors but also profoundly impacts my personal life.

The initial weeks of this internship have proven immensely enriching, providing me with a wealth of invaluable information. I am eagerly anticipating the experiences that the remainder of the summer holds in store.

OSU Extension Internship Program

Tag Archives: Walk with Ease

Extension intern shares impactful programming with communities

Connecting communities and promoting health in Malheur County

OSU Extension internship shapes professional career

Intern initiates community programs with OSU Extension

Encouraging physical activity for adults in Malheur County

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