Can an apple change a life?

Eight used Presbyterian Community Health programs to turn her life around. Now she’s paying it forward, sharing her expertise with others.

Can an apple change a life? Can a mushroom create hope?

Eight’s story proves they can. Unhealthy and ready for change after some traumatic incidents, she joined nutrition and cooking classes offered by Presbyterian Community Health and funded by Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation. She also received vouchers for free fresh produce from local farmer’s markets.  

“By attending her classes, I was healing myself in many ways – eating better, being more active and embodying hope.”

Inspired to save as much of that fresh food as possible to support her healthier lifestyle, Eight wanted to earn her certification as a master food preserver. PHF helped pay for the course. After months of classes and labs, Eight is now preserving apples, chiles, fruit, cabbage, fish and much more. She’s also growing her own mushrooms and making her own kombucha and sourdough bread. 

Eight has learned about healthier living, reconnected with her Southwest heritage and made stronger connections in the community in the process. Now she’s paying it forward, hosting workshops where she shares her expertise. And she’s sharing her homemade food to help others be healthier too.

“This is a whole new world for me. These programs have changed my life.”