Infographic by Parker Smith – Digital and Multimedia Editor

According to Wellness Coordinator Cari Monraz, the new wellness fee allows additional resources and funding to be allocated to programs that promote students’ wellness, such as T.H.R.I.V.E. 

The Together Helping Reach Individual Victories Everyday, or T.H.R.I.V.E., program at California Lutheran University aims to promote health, wellness, and more for students on campus.

The program, which debuted on campus last week, consists of four cohorts that focus on specific areas of wellness; Mindful Eating and Lifestyle, Stress Management, Adulting 101, and Fit for You, according to T.H.R.I.V.E.’s website. 

“T.H.R.I.V.E. was created with the intention to give students more tools and resources to make healthier decisions to kind of thrive overall, that’s kind of how it works,” Wellness Coordinator Cari Monraz said. 

Each group meets once a week for hour-long workshops in The Kingsmen Room at the Student Union. However, the location may vary depending on the activity, according to junior and peer health advisor Alexis Gregory. 

“Each T.H.R.I.V.E. group is designated to a peer health educator that has interest in that area that the group is covering,” Monraz said. 

These peer health educators or advisors serve as guides to the students in order to help them through their own individual self-improvement journey, and are also meant to be a point of contact for other students on campus.

“Students should feel comfortable to go to them if they have any questions or if they need support in any area,” Monraz said.  

According to Monraz, the new wellness fee allows additional resources and funding to be allocated to programs that promote students’ wellness, such as T.H.R.I.V.E. 

Gregory said that T.H.R.I.V.E. is also a good way to educate students on sensitive topics that may be hard to get information on.

“Everyone has the internet and can look things up, but it’s kind of like more fun to learn about things through activity-based exercises and community-based exercises,” Gregory said. 

During the Mindful Eating and Lifestyle cohort, senior peer health advisor Jenna McCray said she plans on educating students on healthy eating through topics such as nutrition. 

“We’re just here to kind of support students if they’re wanting to explore that a little bit more or just learn about it,” McCray said.

A nutritionist is being invited every week for the next six weeks to talk to students, and according to McCray, the nutritionist will provide further education from a professional standpoint.

The Stress Management cohort is led by Gregory, and its goal is “to teach students different tips and tricks on how to manage their stress, and also help them identify the signs of stress and things that they can do to help destress themselves,” Gregory said. 

The cohort is directed toward students to help them cope with stress and how to come back to their senses. Gregory said she has planned activities for students to learn about signs of stress, which include painting rocks, connecting with nature, and yoga classes to help with relaxation.

Junior and peer health advisor Iris Torres said Adulting 101 is about transitioning from childhood to adulthood. During this program, students learn more about how to transition into adulthood with activities like meeting up with career services and a financial advisor. Torres said cooking classes will also be offered during this cohort. 

“We are really hoping we get students of all levels of college [and] all grades to really grow in their skills set and just basic life skills… [and] also in mental and physical wellness,” Torres said. 

Other outcomes that Torres said she wants to see are for the students to feel more confident in being an adult and being able to tackle the struggles of this transition.

“Starting this program has been a very cool experience because we’ll be able to work closer with students on campus and really foster their goals and see them grow,” Torres said. 

The Fit for You cohort is being led by peer health advisor Kacie De Silva. The purpose of the workshop is to help students develop a new fitness routine that fits their individual goals, and De Silva said she wants to teach students new ways of working out other than going to the gym and walking. 

The workshop also aims to help students to recognize their strengths and values while helping them set goals. De Silva said she plans to bring a private boxing coach to incentivize students to try new things.

“I think it helps students to, you know, examine their overall wellness,” De Silva said. 

The link to register for any of T.H.R.I.V.E.’s cohorts can be found in the bio of the Cal Lutheran Student Life account on Instagram.