As part of the organization’s commitment to supporting staff members’ well-being, Rubicon Programs recently hosted its annual Wellness Fair for employees company-wide. The event took place over three afternoons on October 13-15 and included both online and in-person activities.

Rubicon’s Recruitment and Engagement Specialist Adriana Ponce-Matteucci led the efforts to plan and organize the event, from the initial conceptual stage all the way through hosting the closing activity. “Making time for yourself isn’t selfish or a waste of time, it’s an investment in yourself,” Ponce-Matteucci said. “We get very wrapped up in our work, which is important, but we focus on everything else around us: family, work, kids. It’s also important to say, ‘My health matters’ and to take time to invest in yourself.”

Over 30 live events were scheduled during the course of the Wellness Fair, the most highly attended being the closing event virtual standup show with Comedy Oakland. For the second time in the fair’s nine-year history, some of the events were available in Spanish to be more inclusive of the organization’s diverse workforce. In addition to the live events, participants could schedule one-on-one appointments with vendors from the healthcare, fitness, finance, and insurance industries.

The event was organized by a Wellness Fair Planning Committee made up of eight Rubicon Staff from different departments and locations. The Committee worked together for three months to make sure a variety of activities for all interests and abilities would be available at the event.

Wellness Coach Kellisha Moore decided to join the Committee to help emphasize the value of focusing on wellness. “I think that it is extremely important to prioritize our wellness and cultivate an active mindset of peace,” Moore said.

In addition to attending the Wellness Fair itself, joining the Planning Committee was a way for some staff members to enhance their professional development. WIOA Career Coach Mayra Corral was excited to be offered the opportunity to contribute as a Committee member. “I joined because I wanted to be involved with the organization outside of my role in Rubicon,” Corral said. “I'm a planner and like to plan parties, dinners, and outings outside of work. When I was presented with the opportunity to do it for work, I signed up as soon as I could.”

Ponce-Matteucci is proud of the work that the Planning Committee did to bring the Wellness Fair to the organization while still following COVID-19 safety measures. “Even though the way we have to work has changed, our values and what we want to give to employees didn’t change,” Ponce-Matteucci said. “I think it’s pretty awesome that we could continue the Wellness Fair and find a way to adapt it during some of the most difficult times that some of us have ever experienced.”