The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre is pleased to launch in May 2016:  “Mood Walks:  Therapeutic Walking for the Heart and Mind.”  This is a 10-week group for survivors of harm, aged 16-24.  We will use a variety of themes throughout our walks and develop new tools for emotional wellbeing through a grounding reconnection with the environment.  Participants can expect physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and social benefits.  The Mood Walks would include 90-120 minute walks through different regional/urban parks/green spaces culminating with a daylong walk in a provincial park.   

Sonya Vellenga, Executive Director with the Centre shares:  “We have been exploring alternate paths to wellness and healing and the Mood Walks project, supported by CMHA Ontario and Hike Ontario, was a wonderful opportunity for us to explore.  Peterborough was recently acknowledged as one of the most walkable cities through Canada Walks and we wanted to tap into this great resource.  In addition, when Urban Poling called us and asked us if they could donate 10 walking poles for our Mood Walks Project, we were delighted.”

Please join us on Monday morning, April 18, 2016 at 9:00 am at the Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre to hear more about Mood Walks and to witness the donation of 10 urban poles from Mandy Shintani, BSc (OT), MA, former Peterborough resident and Co-developer of the ACTIVATOR poles, Urban Poling.   Representing the Centre will be Barb Woolner, Mood Walks Facilitator, Neeshali Adhya, Intern and co-facilitator of Mood Walks; Sue Sauve, will be representing the City of Peterborough (Transportation Demand Management Planner), andShaya MacDonald, representing Mood Walks Ontario.

For more information, please contact Sonya Vellenga at svellenga.ksac@nexicom.net or 705-748-5901ext. 203.