Cleveland State University’s Rec Center hosted its 17th annual WellFest Feb. 2 in the Student Center Ballroom. 

The center created WellFest in 2006 for students, faculty and staff to learn about health and wellness. At this year's event, organizations from CSU and the Cleveland community had information tables where people could learn more about each organization.

Wellfest was created "so vendors could come and promote their version of wellness,” Liz Snow, graduate supervisor of fitness and wellbeing, said. “Various vendors have different versions of wellness so we want students to be well rounded.” 

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_{Liz Snow, graduate supervisor of fitness and wellbeing, at the event.
She helped create WellFest this year. (credit: Jayla Salter)}

Snow helped create this event with CSU Rec Center. 

She also talked about a new CSU initiative, ShineWell, which has the support of President Laura Bloomberg and aims at overall health in seven dimensions: developmental, emotional, environmental, financial, physical, social and spiritual health.

Who was at WellFest, 2023?

CSU Organizations:

• Rec Center (organizer)
• Health Sciences and Human Performance Lab
• Counseling Center
• Student Wellness
• Student Housing: Domain at Cleveland
• Adventure Rec
• Doctoral Occupational Therapy Program
• CSU Police Department

Local Cleveland Organizations:

• Walmart: Vision Center
• Drug Care
• ADAMHS: Board of Cuyahoga County 
• Ohio Educational Credit Union
• Planned Parenthood
• Unrefined
• Metro Health
• Nosotros

Activities at Wellfest, 2023

• Trail Mix Station
• Refreshments
• Shine Well: Jeopardy Game
• Fitness Challenge
• Photo Booth
• Mini Massages
• Occupational Therapy Activity Room
• Tote Bags
• Therapy Dogs
• Prizes for the raffle giveaway

“We provide lots of materials in terms of mental health and substance use disorder,” said Michaele Smith from ADAMS. “Our goal is to save a life.”

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_{Michaele Smith at the ADAMS table at WellFest.
ADAMS provides substance abuse and mental health services. (credit: Jayla Salter)}

Smith is an alumna of CSU and currently works for ADAMS. The company has partnered with CSU for the Wellfest before and focuses heavily on providing services for substance use disorder and mental health. 

“It gives students a chance to come out and learn what it is about to be well,” Kaela Ruffin, a senior studying Biology Pre-med, said. “Not just physically fit, but mentally.”

Many students visited the ballroom and took part in the WellFest activities. The event was a success and gave students many options to pursue wellness and learn from service providers how to stay healthy.

What should I do next?

To get started on your journey to health, visit the Rec Center and take a Zumba or F45 class with Liz Snow. Or sign up for a massage. Whatever you do, don't delay. With spring on the way, now is the time to make that visit to the Rec Center that you always said you would.