Lori Coker is an inspiration. She has a “can-do” personality that was demonstrated daily in her 21 years with CalFresh Healthy Living, UC Cooperative Extension Shasta Cluster.
Coker, who retired July 1, reflected on her career as an educator reaching thousands in her community.
“It’s the simple messages that count,” she said, sharing the stories of two participants who touched her heart.
One example was a few weeks after her presentation at CalWorks, a state program that gives cash aid and services to California families with children in need, when a young mother noticed Coker at a food pantry and approached her. “I don’t let my baby’s daddy give her sugar-sweetened beverages anymore because of you,” the woman said.
Another was a mother in one of her classes whose child was experiencing anemia as a side effect of cancer treatments. Although in a doctor’s care with nutritional guidance and medical support, they sought even more information on nutrition and wellness. Coker still tears up when recalling the mother thanking her for a class.
Coker relates to the program participants; she brings her heart to classroom education, acknowledging her own struggles with food insecurity as a young, divorced mom with two children.
“I get it,” she said, explaining how parents want to do the right thing nutritionally for their kids while on food stamps.
Her lived experience has made a big difference in her lesson delivery and creates a lasting impression. Moving to the Redding area from Rhode Island at age 7, she settled back with her mother’s family after her father passed away. She experienced change and the importance of family networks for young mothers. As an adult, she reflected on the difficult road of juggling two little ones while navigating coursework for a bachelor’s degree she completed at Chico State in nutrition and food science.
Coker began her career in nutrition with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program and then joined the UC Cooperative Extension office to deliver SNAP-Ed programs as an adult educator in Shasta County.
Shawnice Fisher, CFHL, UCCE Shasta Cluster supervisor, describes Coker as a tireless advocate for health.
“It’s hard to put into words just how much Lori’s dedication and heart have meant to the SNAP-Ed program over the past 21 years,” Fisher said. “She is more than just a coworker – she has been a mentor, a friend and an inspiration.”
One of the long-term partner programs Coker has served is Empire Recovery Center in Redding. It was there that she met Art Sevilla, who was in a CalWorks class.
"Going through this program many years ago has had a positive impact in my family's life,” Sevilla said. “Learning about the nutritional value of everything we consume is an important tool to manage our health.
“Many of us are unaware or unable to read the information that is at the tip of our hands when it comes to how much sodium, sugar, and fat are in the items we purchase,” Sevilla said. “This program continues to provide the necessary tools to support and nurture healthy families."
After completing the program, Sevilla became a volunteer with Empire Recovery Outpatient Services and eventually its executive director.
“I clearly remember seeing Lori in action during a site visit at Empire Recovery Center back in 2013 and meeting Art,” recalled Andra Nicoli of the CFHL, UC State Office. “She stood out as captivating her audience with her relatable style, cognizant of her audience and sensitive to the struggles they are facing.
“She and Art had a collaborative, genuinely engaged connection with those they served,” Nicoli said. “I asked Lori and Art to come to the CalFresh Healthy Living Forum the following year to share their partnership story. It was a memorable contribution to the forum that illustrated how educators and the partnerships they develop are the essential glue that deepens a healthy living program’s impact in a community.”
For more on Coker and Sevilla’s partnership, see this video: https://youtu.be/40-UShrh6RU.