KIN Co-op: Finishing a work term during COVID-19

KIN Co-op: Finishing a work term during COVID-19

 

Hello everyone! My name is Matthew Jang, and I am currently a fourth-year Kinesiology student specializing in Health Sciences. After completing a diploma in Kinesiology at Capilano University and transferring to UBC, there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to participate in the KIN Co-op program. Co-op offers valuable and relevant experience working in my field of study which I believe will benefit me in the future.

My interest in Kinesiology stems from my grandparents, who led an active and independent lifestyle well into their mid-90s before health-related illnesses and injuries negatively impacted their mobility. From a personal perspective, I became more aware of how physical activity, or lack of it, can affect an individual’s strength and endurance and impact both their physical and mental well-being, regardless of age. So, when an opportunity for a Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant at an organization called New Roots was posted to the Co-op employment site, I quickly applied.

New Roots is a non-profit adult day program, promoting independent living, health and wellness, and community involvement, by providing a place for seniors to socialize and participate in therapeutic recreational activities. I began working at New Roots in September 2019 and, since then, have enjoyed getting to know the seniors there, and helping them with their rehabilitation exercises. Many of the seniors live alone and their time at New Roots is the only social interaction they have with others. So when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and BC Health authorities closed businesses and encouraged people to stay home, it caused a major strain on the lives of these seniors. As seniors are deemed higher risk for serious illness if they contract COVID, they must take additional precautions with social distancing. This, in turn, is leaving seniors at New Roots confused and isolated.

In an attempt to lessen the impact of COVID-19 for New Roots clients, the Director made some adjustments to the way in which we could offer our services. Instead of going into work, I am now working from home, and instead of offering hands-on help to our clients, I am calling them on the phone to engage them in conversation. All clients are called weekly and while they continue to sound surprised when they hear my voice, they are very appreciative of the effort to check up on how they are doing. In addition to the individual phone calls, I facilitate group conference calls for clients who are ‘buddies’ in the program. The goal of these calls is to allow everyone to share what’s on their minds and socialize.

In a further attempt to ensure our members stay healthy, I have also created an online video of an exercise routine that they can follow along with from their homes. These videos are being sent to all clients who have access to a computer or iPad. For those who do not have access to these devices I have created several different exercise routines that were printed out and sent to clients by mail. Each routine has detailed explanations on how to perform each exercise.

Though there have been many new challenges, my co-op term with New Roots has shown me that there are solutions to every problem, no matter how large! I believe I have developed a trust and friendship with many clients at New Roots and as my Coop term draws to an end, I have learned that even through tough times, like a pandemic, we are all in this together (and no, I’m not referring to the High School Musical song!).  COVID-19 has impacted each of us in one way or another and it is up to us all to help each other through this worrisome time.

Be kind to each other. Stay safe and healthy. We will get through this together.

2020 Mentorship Program Virtual Wrap-up Event 

 

The School of Kinesiology transformed its annual Mentorship Program Wrap-up event into a safe virtual meet-up in spite of the COVID-19 outbreak. Mentors and mentees celebrated the completion of this year’s program online, on March 31st, 2020 by discussing changes– the different ways in which students and alumni have pivoted in their work, academic, and personal lives, and how these changes generated new ideas and methods for their day-to-day living. Participants reflected on their learning in the program and identified exciting next steps in their personal career journeys.

Reflecting on the experience, 8-year KIN alumni mentor Bianca Knop shared: “…it was great to have a platform where we could all share and listen to each other’s unique insights and challenges at this strange time. There was definitely a varying scale of concerns and situations people are dealing with but it was also a good reminder that this is impacting us all and that unites us as a greater group.”

Mentors also imparted some advice to students on how to navigate this current period of self-isolation, which included: practice empathy, for others and yourself; be creative, use the space to innovate or create new opportunities; stay connected to your why, your values and your identity; and call friends, coworkers, classmates, and family to stay connected from day-to-day.

KIN mentee Stephanie Yu expressed the impact of this exercise: “[when we completed the identity exercise] the mentors also felt that the identity sphere needed some work on their end too… This is the time for us to reflect on our identity and also define it, not only as an individual, but as a community, and in a grander scheme, as humans.”

This virtual event concluded the 2019-20 program, which included 29 mentoring pairs:

Angie Lu; Anika  Cheng; Calista Chau; Chihiro Abe; Chloe Mathews; Christianna Cheung; Christy Wee; David Canales; Declan Rounce; Elke Peterson; Emi Wong; Emma Tseng; Eunice Lui; Grace Cheung; Isiah   McDonald; Ivana Abrigo; Johnson Liu; Kayla Pagnotta; Liane Tang; Makenna Bailey; Mark Yang; Meg  Hung; Monica U; Nikki LeClair; Sabrina Hou; Sage Sarabosing; Snowy Zhou; Stephanie Yu and Suzanne Ng.

Congratulations to all student mentees in this year’s cohort!

Applications for the 2020-21 program will open in August. To learn more about the program, click here.

 

Check out the Virtual Presentation of the 2020 Student Service and Leadership Recognition Awards!

Each year, the School of Kinesiology holds an annual event that celebrates the service and leadership contributions of KIN students to their community. Qualifying students must have held a volunteer or paid role within the School’s services or programs, with a minimum service criterion over the past academic year.

Due to unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the evening of recognition planned for March 24, 2020 was cancelled. However, this didn’t stop us from recognizing the commitment and service of our student leaders! In a desire to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our KIN student community, the School created a virtual presentation highlighting the 2019-2020 award winners, as well as the Graduating Student Leadership Award recipients.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, UBC KIN recognizes 309 student leaders. This is the largest cohort ever recognized in the event’s 11-year history, representing over 24.5% of the undergraduate student body! Students who went above and beyond the expectations of their role and demonstrated outstanding contributions to their community were nominated by their supervisors and were selected to receive an award from either the Student Experience or Community Engagement categories.

This year, the School recognizes a new category of student service with the Graduating Student Leadership Award. This award recognizes 25 graduating students who had contributed leadership and service to either the School of Kinesiology or the KUS, having served the KIN community for the majority of their undergraduate careers.

On behalf of the School of Kinesiology, we’d like to thank all our student leaders for their contributions and for building a caring, supportive, and vibrant KIN community.

To view the presentation and the full list of award recipients, click here.

The presentation will be viewable on the KIN website until April 30, 2020.

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Rosalin Miles

Dr. Rosalin Miles, MHK 1998, Research Associate, Indigenous Studies in UBC School of Kinesiology.

Dr. Rosalin Miles models traditional Indigenous practices of health and wellbeing for herself, her family, her students and her community. She states, “The pandemic can provide us with opportunities to promote spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health and wellness. Even though there is a need for social distancing, this pandemic has brought people together.”

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It has been a very stressful time for many UBC students to adjust to the changes that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Rosalin Miles of Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology (ISK) has been reaching out to share resources and support to the many ISK students and community members by phone, zoom, and skype. “Thankfully,” says Dr. Miles, “the ISK was set up for students to take courses online; however, the community experiential learning components of the program have come to a screeching halt. In this regard, it has been more challenging to support each student.” Dr. Miles states, “I hope that they can find perseverance within their circle of support of family and friends.”

During this challenging time, Dr. Miles advocates for the importance of practicing holistic health and wellness. For spiritual health and wellness, she is providing support to Elders and community members through phone calls, Facetime and messaging. Through these relationships she is able to practice prayer and connections with her community which, in turn, reinforces gratitude and resilience.

For emotional holistic health and wellness support, Dr. Miles has turned to her own family. She lives with her husband and their five-year-old daughter on the traditional territory of the Musqueam people – on the reserve adjacent to the UBC Vancouver campus. As a safety measure, the Musqueam community has placed blockades on the main roads entering the community during the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure that there is protection for their community from the virus, and to promote social distancing on the roads.

Once the ISK research laboratory was closed down and her daughter’s school was halted, Rosalin reached out to her mother for support who moved in with her family to help provide home-schooling for her granddaughter. Rosalin reflects, “I feel extremely fortunate to have my mother here for my daughter, as this also allows me to continue to work from home.” She and her mother maintain a practice of gratitude each day which she says, reinforces her own role as a mother and allows her to acknowledge the values she has created; those of fostering unconditional love and support.

Dr. Miles is a registered Kinesiologist who knows the value of being physically active for holistic health and wellness. Each day, when her young daughter has completed homeschool lessons, Dr. Miles is physically active with her daughter to ensure they both feel grounded, whether it be playing in the backyard, going for a bike ride – or playing with their new puppy! Being active together supports their relationship in a fun way where they can both build on their connection together.

Dr. Miles also works with her community and volunteers on the Lytton First Nation Finance committee. She has been able to support them by writing emergency response policies and providing other needed supports. She will be driving to Lytton to deliver emergency supplies and much-needed seeds to support community farming. Aware of the dangers of driving into a rural community, Dr. Miles will leave all items she brings up to Lytton in a garage for 3 days, wipe them down, and maintain social distancing.

It has been difficult not to visit with her Musqueam neighbours but she states, “I know that the social distancing is mandatory. Should COVID-19 ever manifest in the community it would be catastrophic for the Elders and for the valuable knowledge and contributions they hold for the community.”

Dr. Rosalin Miles is a member of Lytton First Nation and works within UBC Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology as a Research Associate.

Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology Event Cancellations due to COVID-19


Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology, COVID-19 Update:

Dr. Miles, Associate Researcher in the Indigenous Studies of Kinesiology program, is the founder and volunteer Executive Director of the Indigenous Physical Activity and Cultural Circle (IPACC), which runs the annual Active Spirit 2km and 5km walk and run.

Due to the pandemic, IPACC has made the difficult decision to postpone this event, which is normally hosted with the Musqueam community and to which all UBC students, faculty and staff are invited. However, IPACC plans to host the event 4 weeks after the pandemic is over. For more information please contact IPACC

We are also sorry to announce that the National Indigenous Physical Activity & Wellness Conference scheduled for May 2 & 3, 2020 has also been postponed and is now scheduled to take place on May 1 & 2, 2021. Dr. Miles is extremely thankful to all involved community members who have been supportive and understanding throughout these difficult decisions.

Due to her work with IPACC, Dr. Rosalin Miles has been nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction awards. We encourage you to vote online for Dr. Miles to receive the Connecting Community award by April 24. 2020.

ShareToCare – A story of humanity, compassion and hope

In response to COVID19, graduating Kinesiology students, Sunwon Jessica Kim, Paniz Shirkhanlou, and Cierrah DiCesare are demonstrating the KIN spirit of service to others. They are true Kin Community Champions who are walking the talk by rolling up their sleeves and assisting a particularly vulnerable, and often invisible community – that of women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The three KIN students began a volunteer donation drive under the name, Share to Care, to gather Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for non-profit shelters for women and children. The women’s shelters they are supporting include the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, the Nova Transition House, and BC Women’s Health Foundation.

“These organizations are at high risk for community infections and their needs for PPE are critical since they are subject to high traffic in confined areas. Social distancing is crucial at this time; however, staying home is not possible for women and children who experience domestic violence and harsh conditions. Families seeking a safe place need to be protected not only from the violence but also from the pandemic. As the shelters are still fully operational and providing full meal services, they are in dire need of PPE supplies to keep their staff and the women and children they serve safe. However, shelters are often overlooked when help is needed since they often remain out of the public eye,” explains @SharetoCare founder, Sunwon Jessica Kim.

The list of items required includes masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes. Due to the rapidly evolving circumstances with COVID-19, ShareToCare has quickly expanded to promote both cloth masks and monetary donations to meet its affiliated organizations’ needs. Paniz Shirkhanlou, states that many of their “donations are coming from generous health care professionals, primarily dentists.”

Our mission is to advocate for, and support those experiencing double disadvantages during this outbreak. Women and children who are unable to maintain self-isolation or quarantine in their own homes due to violence or safety threats should not worry about their health and safety once they are in a shelter’s care.

If you are interested in donating to this worthy group please contact: sharetocaresunwonjessicakim@gmail.com

ShareToCare Instagram Page
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Sunwon Jessica Kim, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.

Sunwon Jessica Kim is a 4th-year Kinesiology student graduating this May, and is the person who built the SharetoCare team. Sunwon is also a Certified Dental Assistant who will be applying to the UBC DMD program upon graduation.

Sunwon demonstrates leadership and service to the community. She says “as a student of human health and a healthcare professional who believes and understands the importance of preventive measures, I wanted to help prevent/minimize the community spread of COVID-19.

In addition to ShareToCare, Sunwon has gone even further in her service to the community at this time by volunteering at the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society (VAHS)’s dental clinic to help serve emergency patients as a CDA during the pandemic. She explains, “because most dental practices are closed or have limited their operations at this time, the VAHS’s dental clinic is organizing the details of its operation for dental emergencies with the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA). Since the N95 mask fit test with the VAHS’ dental team on April 10, I am ready to jump in to alleviate dental emergencies during COVID-19.

Sunwon adds, “It is my belief that humanity needs to be respected especially during times like this. And, I am enormously grateful for my journey at UBC School of Kinesiology where I further cultivated such important values through academics and diverse peer interactions.”
Upon graduation, Sunwon will be applying to the UBC DMD program.
 
 

Paniz Shirkhanlou, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.

Paniz is a 4th-year Kinesiology student and is an American PFTA personal trainer. Volunteering in several different hospitals, senior care centers, and clinics since high school has taught her that “small contributions to our communities can result in meaningful changes. Thus, I’m a firm believer in thinking globally but acting locally. In today’s world, COVID 19 is a global issue; however, I believe every individual has the power to help the pandemic by taking modest steps towards supporting the neighboring community.” Paniz intends to apply for UBC DMD program upon our graduation.
 
 
 
 

Cierrah DiCesare, 4th Year Kinesiology Student, Interdisciplinary stream.

Cierra is graduating with her BKin in May. When she’s not studying or raising funds she is volunteering in local physiotherapy clinics and hospitals, and playing soccer matches. She has her eyes set on competing in the Great Canadian Bake Off some day! But her immediate plans are to do her masters in public health upon graduating from Kinesiology.

She states, “as we all move forward, developing our new ‘normals’ and reevaluating our life plans, we also have a chance to come together globally, in a way that is unprecedented in this generation. We are living history right now; I want it to be a story of humanity, compassion and hope. That is why I am honoured to be a part of ShareToCare, and proud to have these fellow “kinners” as my friends. It speaks to the kind of community collaboration UBC is known for.”

Active Kids launches new virtual intro to gymnastics classes for 4 to 6-year olds on April 29

Active Kids launches new virtual intro to gymnastics classes for 4 to 6-year olds on April 29th. Click here to join the live stream.

We are currently planning future sessions and would like your feedback.
Please complete this short survey so we can offer classes based on your preferred activities and schedules.

These online gymnastics classes are being presented in partnership with UBC Camps as part of their Play and Learn Live initiative!

Averill, Michael

Michael Averill, BHK 2006, Musician.

Michael Averill is a KIN Community Champion utilizing his creativity to bring us together in community and lift us up to help us overcome the challenges of social isolation during COVID-19. He shows leadership and service by offering free, live online performances/jam sessions for all.   

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Michael is a BHK 2006 alumnus and a well-known, beloved local performer and community animator who gives voice to many people through his music. He performs regularly at various venues across the lower mainland and across the country.

Since the COVID outbreak, Michael has demonstrated his creative and supportive spirit by transitioning his concerts to the virtual world. During this time of isolation, he is providing free, online live performances and communal jam sessions to which all are invited. We commend Michael as a KIN Community Champion for connecting people and lifting spirits through his music.

“People have told me it is really nice to have something uplifting, fun, and light to look forward to in the week. I have loved seeing so many artist friends doing the same thing as well. Everyone finds their unique way of providing a special music-based refuge/recharge for their audiences, which is very welcome amidst the constant intensity of our current situation.

Music is so important to all of us in our daily lives. But I think given everything that’s happening right now, its value has become immeasurable for lifting spirits, and inspiring hope for a better tomorrow. We’re stronger together, and music is one of the glues that gives us a place to collect and build each other up.”

You can find out about Michael’s upcoming online concerts here.

Competition for 2019-2020 KIN Scholarships, Awards & Prizes is now open

Information regarding eligibility criteria, application process and available scholarships, awards and prizes is now available here.

Additional questions may be emailed to kin.scholarships.awards@ubc.ca

The deadline date for application online is Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 at 11:59pm. Get started on your application and reference letters today, and good luck to all applicants!

Congratulations to Mikayla Ogrodniczuk for receiving the Buzz More Leadership Award and Kay Brearley Service Award

The School congratulates Mikayla, Assistant Captain of the Women’s Varsity Hockey team for being awarded the Buzz More Leadership Award and the Kay Brearley Service Award. The Buzz Leadership Award represents peer recognition for outstanding qualities and achievements in individuals, and the Kay Brearley Award recognizes exceptional service to the Women’s Athletic program.

Mikayla Ogrodniczuk is set to graduate Spring 2020 with a degree in Kinesiology in the Health Sciences stream. She has enjoyed being a part of the Kin community, expressing that she “truly appreciates having had the opportunity to learn at the top-ranked KIN program in the country!” During her time in KIN, Mikayla was a member of the UBC Women’s Varsity Hockey team, serving as Assistant Captain for the past two years.

“Being a varsity athlete has added tremendous value to my studies in Kin. I was able to apply what I learned in the classroom on a daily basis to my athletic life, and it provided me with a better understanding of the importance of nutrition, and the reasons behind the training sessions we completed.

There are many student-athletes in the School, and this provided an opportunity for us to connect through our love of sport. As a member of the Women’s Hockey team, we were required to travel a significant amount for away games; with our close-knit KIN community and supportive faculty, I knew that many of my classmates understood the challenges of missing school for competition – always willing to lend a helping hand. Most importantly, being a varsity athlete continuously challenged my ability to manage a full course load, training, competition, travel, and personal life. Time management is crucial in successfully managing the demands of varsity athletics, and I know the skills I developed studying Kinesiology while competing as a UBC Thunderbird will continue to help me navigate the demands of my future studies. The value I gained as a varsity athlete while studying at UBC is difficult to put into words. Competing as a UBC Thunderbird while studying in the School of Kinesiology was a dream I feel extremely grateful to have lived-out. I was immersed in two incredibly supportive communities, both of which aimed to educate and develop the next leaders in the academic and athletic worlds.”

Mikayla’s involvement in UBC Athletics inspired her to co-found the UBC Athlete’s Hub, Canada’s first mental health resource targeted at student athletes. This unique online resource focuses on increasing awareness of mental health issues, reducing stigma, and promoting coping skills and help-seeking among student-athletes. While completing her degree, Mikayla was a part of the UBC Interprofessional Health Mentors Program which aims to foster collaboration between healthcare trainees from different disciplines. Mikayla was one of 10 KIN students in her class to participate in this 3-term program.

This year, Mikayla was a part of the inaugural Campus Kinnections program, a student mentorship program that pairs senior kinesiology students with incoming students for a year-long partnership. Mikayla is looking forward to returning to work as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Aging, Mobility, and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab this summer where she gets to combine her love for physical activity with academic research. Upon completion of her degree this spring, Mikayla will continue her studies at UBC in the Master of Physical Therapy program in September.

 

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