by Chaltu Watkins, VRG Intern
Sitting in on a class at Christopher Place in Baltimore, Maryland was a very eye-opening experience. The program is designed to support men who have experienced homelessness and struggled with addiction.
Instructor Crystal, intern Ellie, and I set up the tables before the class began, and when the men came in they were eager to get started. They could not wait to see what recipe was on the agenda. They talked a bit about last week’s class and how they really enjoyed the smoothie they made and the conversations they had. They were asking Crystal over and over again if she would leave the recipe for them and if they could have any ingredients that were left over because they wanted to try and cook on their own.
During the cooking demonstration, the men were very engaged and genuinely grateful for the opportunity to learn more about healthy eating. While it was clear that none of them were vegan, they were open-minded and willing to try the collard greens and beets that Crystal prepared. Some even came back for seconds and thirds. Throughout the class, Crystal emphasized the importance of men’s health, which was especially relevant in this male-centered facility. I was surprised by how much I learned during this session, more than I’ve learned in some of my school courses when it comes to health issues and how to better equip yourself to try and prevent these issues from occurring.
As I skimmed the classroom, I noticed that Christopher Place offers a variety of courses, including religious studies and sessions focused on both soft and hard skills. Since the program is designed to support men who have experienced homelessness and struggled with addiction, having classes like the one Crystal taught is valuable. These courses equip them with tools to help them reintegrate into society.
Chaltu Watkins sat in on this class while a VRG intern. For information about VRG internships, see www.vrg.org/student/index.php
More information about Crystal Forman, MPH, MHA, can be found at www.holistic-wellnessandhealth.com/about/