What does it take for people with many challenges to really get healthy?
This group of women that belong to a popular dance fitness program in Citrus City, Texas, who wear matching shirts that say “Fit Moms,” reveal how true health is achieved.
Their fitness program is offered through the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM). Just last year, Catholic Extension Society helped this group of international missionaries expand their “Human Development Project” in a rural area of the Rio Grande Valley on the outskirts of McAllen, Texas. The sisters serve the families that live here, many of whom suffer from economic insecurity, poor health, and social isolation that can severely diminish people’s quality of life.
In response, the sisters have developed a sophisticated outreach program that focuses on all of these areas of need. They offer medical and dental clinics to the sick and uninsured, organic community gardens to promote healthy eating and sewing classes.
They also offer adult education classes such as English as a Second Language (ESL), entrepreneurship opportunities for economic development, after-school tutoring for children, counseling, and many other services.
But there is another key piece to their outreach that is required for improving and sustaining people’s quality of life.
Social connection
Experts tell us that to be healthy we must move more, eat carefully, and sleep well. Yet, according to recent neuroscience, there is an often-overlooked aspect to health that is equally critical to our wellbeing. Social connection, they tell us, is a basic human need, especially for the poor and those who face many struggles.
Without being neuroscientists, the sisters knew this fact already, which is why they created opportunities for communal interaction. Thanks to their efforts over the years, two new, large and beautiful churches have been built in the area for people to worship together. This include San Juan Diego Church in Citrus City.
In one neighborhood, they also helped build an enormous “airplane hanger-size” meeting hall that can seat up to 700 people for sit-down dinners. Last year they just rehabilitated a new after-school center.
No community space goes unused in their service area, such as their old church building where Zumba fitness classes are offered. Each day, women come together in a supportive environment to better themselves. This Zumba aerobic program is set to loud Latin dance music.
The thumping beat of the music and the synchronized dancing of a room full of women, who whoop intermittently as they break a sweat, is quite a sight to behold in the de-commissioned house of worship.
More than bodily exercise
When speaking to the participants, one quickly realizes that this isn’t just an exercise class that one would find at a health club. More than getting hearts pumping and muscles toned, there is a workout of their spirits happening here as well. Healing, inspiration, connection, trust-building and purpose are also part of the package of benefits these women are receiving.
Milagros is a mother of four. She says Zumba classes “strengthen our minds and our hearts,” which empowers women to “believe in ourselves again.”
From the bottom of our hearts thank you for supporting these programs that help us believe in ourselves again.”
That certainly was the case for Rosa Icela Hernández, who joined the class two months ago. She was suffering from cancer and had recently completed her last chemotherapy treatment. She was thrown into a deep depression as she battled her illness. But after joining the Zumba class, she longer feels alone now that she is surrounded by a band of sisters.
Lourdes Macias said that getting physically fit is only part of her motivation to come. In addition to providing an emotional uplift, the class helps her break the chains of isolation that is common for women in this area.
You can connect with other women. You are not just sitting alone in your house.”
Another participant, who was battling depression and sleep deprivation, says Zumba has sparked a “marvelous change” inside her. She has invited more women from the community who she knows are struggling to find emotional support.
Community of believers
A Church can be defined as a community of believers, and it can take on many forms. In this particular case, a group of women are meeting in what was once a worship space, and it turns out this place is still attracting believers; that is, women who believe in themselves and their worth, as well as women who believe in each other. Together they are lifting each other up, realizing that maintaining one’s health is an exercise that goes beyond the physical body.
Catholic Extension Society builds up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. Donate to our mission to support parish community centers like Proyecto Desarollo Humano.
