Chamber Staff

LiveWell Jefferson Worksite Wellness Summit 2022 to Focus on Mental Health

August 4, 2022 By Chamber Staff

METAIRIE, La. – The Jefferson Chamber will host its 2022 Worksite Wellness Summit as part of its LiveWell Jefferson initiative on Tuesday, August 9. The summit, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, will increase the knowledge and awareness of worksite wellness program concepts, tools, and resources, as well as increase employer capacity to build or enhance effective worksite wellness programs.

The event will be held at Copeland Tower Living in Metairie and begins at 9 a.m. Admission is $25 per person and includes an Eat Fit approved light breakfast and lunch.

Participants will increase their knowledge and awareness of worksite mental health wellness program concepts, tools and resources. The agenda will include a welcome and update from Jefferson Parish administration on the current health and state of our residents, interactive “Stop the Bleed Training for Workplaces” mental health break exercises, and an expert-led panel discussion focused on Mental & Brain Health from local program leaders.

Moderated by Donna Austin, Director of Decision Support at Peoples Health, the panelists include Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich of Ochsner Health and the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office, Shelina Davis at the Louisiana Public Health Institute, Dr. Sarah Schwertner at Primary Care Plus, and Hannah Stiller at LCMC Health.

The LiveWell Jefferson Worksite Wellness Summit will also celebrate a culture of health and wellness among the business community and residents of Jefferson Parish and will culminate with the announcement of the 2022 Healthy Business Awards.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please visit livewelljefferson.org or contact Amanda Hoerner at amandah@jeffersonchamber.org or by calling (504) 835-3880.

About LiveWell Jefferson:
LiveWell Jefferson was formed in early 2017 as a new initiative of the Jefferson Chamber focused on creating and cultivating a culture of health and wellness among the business community and residents of Jefferson Parish. Through educating employers on the importance and implementation of health and wellness programs, the LiveWell Jefferson campaign strives to produce more productive employees, help attract and retain talent, build staff morale, combat employee absenteeism, minimize staff turnover and reduce healthcare costs for employers.

About the Jefferson Chamber:
The Jefferson Chamber celebrates its 25th year as a leading voice for Jefferson Parish’s business community in 2022. As a non-profit, membership-driven organization, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses at the local, state and federal levels. The Chamber’s mission is to work for the advancement of the business community; to enhance the economic, civic and cultural environment; and to improve the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Chamber is Five-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the 2013, 2015, and 2019 Chamber of the Year Award by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in the Large Chamber Category.

For more information about the Jefferson Chamber, visit www.jeffersonchamber.org, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

First FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park Opens in JP

June 16, 2022 By Chamber Staff

METAIRIE, LA – The Jefferson Chamber Foundation, Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken and FitLot, Inc. celebrated the opening of the first FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park in Jefferson Parish at Bonnabel Boat Launch on Thursday, June 16, 2022 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 1400 sq. ft. FitLot has an open, circular design ideal for circuit training classes; and its combination of equipment can be used for a wide variety of training methods. The shaded, safety-surfaced space includes a combination of cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility equipment designed for use those of all abilities ages 13+. The park’s cardio stepper, chest/back press, elliptical, and hand cycle all include dials so users can adjust resistance; and QR codes at each station link users to instructional videos demonstrating how to safely use equipment and perform exercises.

“Providing people a place to enjoy outdoor exercise and activity encourages healthy living and builds a stronger community,” said Councilwoman Van Vrancken. “This FitLot gives residents one more thing to enjoy at the already bustling Bonnabel Boat Launch, which is centrally-located along Metairie’s beautiful Lake Pontchartrain lakefront.”

“The Jefferson Chamber Foundation is ecstatic to unveil such an important asset that makes exercise readily accessible within our community,” added Jefferson Chamber President Ruth Lawson. “This FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park immediately elevates the fitness offerings in our parish and is consistent with our LiveWell Jefferson initiative of creating and cultivating a culture of health and wellness for our business community and parish residents.”

With park and programming funding provided by Council District 5, the Jefferson Parks & Recreation Department plans to hire local fitness professionals to offer free workout classes for residents. Director Mario Bazile explains, “JPRD is excited to offer exercise classes in this incredible atmosphere. What a wonderful way to make Metairie fit!”

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic residents sought the outdoors, looking for new ways to stay active, improve health, and build better connections with family, friends, and neighbors. Hearing the needs of the community, Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken partnered with the Jefferson Chamber Foundation and FitLot, Inc. in a shared goal to make access to outdoor gyms and free workout instruction readily available to all Jefferson Parish residents. This goal is now being realized as we cut the ribbon on a new FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park at Bonnabel Boat Launch.

###

Come Visit Us