June 26, 2023
Every year, Conetoe Family Life Center hosts a summer camp for their community’s children to teach them about chronic disease states, medication management, nutrition through the camp garden and how to build conscious awareness about their health and their family’s health. The project was started by Rev. Richard Joyner, who was a CNN Hometown Hero finalist.
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, with the help of student organizations Asheville Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students (ACAPS), Carolina Association of Pharmacy Students (CAPS) and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA), partnered with Area L Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the Conetoe Family Life Center by sending student pharmacists, faculty and staff to volunteer at the summer camp. The School’s role was partially funded by UNC Rural and the Carolina Center for Public Service.
“It was such an amazing experience to have been part of Conetoe as a volunteer. The kids are super sweet, and we got to teach them several important topics to improve their health and their growth. It was very eye-opening volunteering and being involved in rural health because we learned the things that counties like this one need and how we can contribute in the future,” said Daniela Lopez, Pharm.D. candidate class of 2025.
Throughout the week, students taught from the curriculum they designed. Topics included nutrition, heart health, vaping, substance abuse and mental health. They also put together activities and games for the kids to help them learn.
Crystal Coleman, graduate studies program coordinator in the Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, grew up in New Bern, not far from Conetoe, and was a staff volunteer. “My experience giving back to the children in the community was just as rewarding as the children that benefited from this awesome experience. I’m already looking forward to going back next year to volunteer,” she said.
To help volunteers process what they experienced throughout the week, Rev. Joyner was present during the activities and shared how important it is for everyone to process together. “We’ve had a lot of students come and help, but the Carolina students have been able to adapt to this challenging culture well,” he said.
He noted that the youth attending the camp are not only battling the social economic climate, but they are also battling the generational outcome of social economics. The camp hopes to build a sustainable model to address the chronic diseases in their community, and a key to this is building relationships.
“Some of the campers have experienced and lived through very difficult times – experiences a child should never have to go through. Despite this, the campers remained eager to interact with each other and the volunteers, to learn about healthy living through fun activities. Volunteering at Conetoe was one of the most rewarding experiences during my time as a pharmacy student,” said Emilia Pieta, Pharm.D. candidate class of 2025.
“We are trying to change the culture and create a healthy culture. This is the groundwork – life change at the ground level. Thank you for working on the ground level with us,” Rev. Joyner said.
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