Special to the Banner-News
Camden native Chet Green is implementing a Wellness Integration program as his fall internship project, which is a partnership with Southern Arkansas University and Special Olympics Arkansas. Special Olympics Arkansas and Chet chose Magnolia Specialized Services for the site of the internship due to the involvement the adults have in Special Olympics.
Chet will receive six hours of college credit in return for giving 260 hours at Magnolia Specialized Services. Some of the things that Chet is doing while at MSS include teaching the athletes ways to become healthy through diet, exercise and drinking plenty of water; engaging individual athletes in walking and movement exercises as appropriate; playing and teaching team sports to athletes; serving as a mentor and role model to the young men; assisting in the preparation of Area 15 Special Olympics Bowling competition; and working as a personal trainer to several of the adults who need that extra attention.
“This has been a fantastic experience for Magnolia Specialized Services. We have been able to increase our focus on health and wellness more with Chet’s help. The impact Chet has had on our program this semester will allow Special Olympics Arkansas Area 15 to grow. I highly recommend the Wellness Integration internship program to anyone,” MSS Executive Director Sara Carrington said.
Recently, four athletes and one partner were chosen to represent Arkansas in the Summer National Games in Seattle, Washington. Chet has been instrumental in coaching each athlete in his/her respective sport while working at MSS.
Special Olympics Arkansas provides a curriculum, “Health Matters,” for Chet to use as a guideline for his work with the adults. He will be coaching a Special Olympics volleyball team for state competition in Conway in November.
“As a result of Chet’s excellent work ethic and dedication while doing his internship at Magnolia Specialized Services, he has recently been hired as the new house manager at Jay Johnston Group Living Center,” Carrington said. “He will be a tremendous asset to the program.”