{"id":222439,"date":"2024-12-11T08:02:42","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T13:02:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=222439"},"modified":"2025-02-07T15:16:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T20:16:59","slug":"building-community-through-nutrition-dianisi-torres-and-uconn-extensions-programs-in-windham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/12\/building-community-through-nutrition-dianisi-torres-and-uconn-extensions-programs-in-windham\/","title":{"rendered":"Building Community Through Nutrition: Dianisi Torres and UConn Extension’s Programs in Windham"},"content":{"rendered":"

UConn Extension\u2019s<\/a> community nutrition programs focus on more than just education\u2014they emphasize fostering connections and creating a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n

Dianisi Torres \u201917 (Neag), an educational program assistant, leads the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and SNAP-Ed initiatives in Windham, Connecticut. For Torres, her work goes beyond imparting knowledge; it\u2019s about building community.<\/p>\n

\"Dianisi
Torres, right, teaching a nutrition class.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe participants become like a family,\u201d Torres shares. \u201cPeople see the same faces over four or five weeks, which creates a sense of belonging. It\u2019s fun\u2014eating, talking, sharing experiences, and learning together. What motivates me is seeing the community gather, spend time together, and share knowledge, food, and resources.”<\/p>\n

These programs integrate nutrition, fitness, and gardening curricula to provide a holistic educational experience.<\/p>\n

Torres begins each session with community dialogues, listening to participants and partners to understand their situations.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about respecting what the people of Windham, primarily Latinos and the Black community, actually need,\u201d Torres explains. \u201cI don\u2019t provide without asking. My work with Windham Public Schools, especially mentoring programs, focuses on building Latino leaders for the future. As I grow older, I want to ensure the younger generation continues this work.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lifelong Windham resident, Torres\u2019s commitment to the community extends far beyond her role at UConn Extension. She highlights the trust the Hispanic community places in UConn.<\/p>\n

\u201cUConn has a lot of respect within the Hispanic community in Windham, especially because of its name and reputation,\u201d she says. \u201cUConn Extension doesn\u2019t just provide programs; it creates the feeling that they\u2019re here for us. For the Latino community, UConn is one of the institutions we trust.\u201d<\/p>\n

One challenge Torres addresses is the difficulty of finding culturally appropriate produce, which affects the ability to maintain traditional diets. She bridges this gap by adapting recipes and incorporating gardening into her programs. Participants grow their own produce, promoting self-sufficiency and healthy lifestyles. This approach also introduces participants to new ingredients, helping them adapt recipes while maintaining cultural traditions.<\/p>\n

\"CAHNRFitness is another cornerstone of her programs. Torres offers unique classes for families and mothers, focusing on strength-building and accessible routines that can be done at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about weight loss but about building strength and well-being,\u201d Torres says.<\/p>\n

Program evaluations reveal significant impacts, including increased physical activity, higher vegetable and fruit consumption, and greater awareness of fat intake among participants. Torres relies on her certifications, such as ServeSafe for food safety and mental health first aid, to deliver a comprehensive, impactful program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe feedback I get shows the impact,\u201d she says. \u201cParticipants want to return, bringing friends and family. Kids, in particular, look forward to my classes, and adults often say the programs feel like therapy. It\u2019s about so much more than knowledge\u2014it\u2019s life-changing for some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Social justice underpins all of Torres\u2019s work. She partners with organizations like the Hispanic Health Council in Windham to create platforms for community dialogues on nutrition and other essential topics. \u201cI\u2019m a community organizer with a background in business education,\u201d Torres says. \u201cMy passion and advocacy started years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

UConn Extension, located within UConn\u2019s College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) serves all 169 municipalities in Connecticut, and has eight statewide locations, in addition to the UConn Avery Point and Storrs campuses. Over 5,500 volunteers support the various Extension programs annually, contributing more than $5.4 million to their communities. Extension professionals provide online courses and certificates to non-traditional learners and services to state and federal agencies and institutions.<\/p>\n

Follow\u00a0<\/em>UConn CAHNR<\/em><\/a>\u00a0on social media<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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