LIFTT CHW / IL Specialist Rachial Combs (left) and Peer Program Coordinator Tanya Thomas (right) working on a project during the recent Living Well in Community (LWC) Rendezvous at Fairmont Hot Springs. The Rendezvous brings together LWC facilitators from all four Montana CILs to discuss the LWC curriculum and trade tips on how to conduct exciting and engaging classes.
What do you get when you mix energizing wellness workshops, inspiring peer connections, and a backdrop of mountain air and hot springs? A Rendezvous that lives up to its name! From June 24 to June 25, 2025, Rachial Combs, our trailblazing Community Health Worker (CHW) / Independent Living (IL) Specialist, and Tanya Thomas, our ever-enthusiastic Peer Program Coordinator, took a dive (maybe even a literal one — swimsuits were encouraged!) into the vibrant two-day Living Well in Community (LWC) Rendezvous. Held at the scenic Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in Anaconda, this gathering was more than a meeting — it was a movement.
A Whirlwind of Wellness
Day 1: Post-its, Planning, and Positivity
Armed with laptops, comfy clothes, and (hopefully) their favorite water bottles, participants kicked off the Rendezvous with Post-it reflections and guided imagery — because nothing says “we’re serious about self-care” like asking yourself if you’re a crock pot thinker or a microwave thinker before 9 A.M.!
After grounding exercises and setting group expectations, the real fun began with a Social Determinants of Health Game, where collaboration met competition in the name of understanding barriers and bridges to wellness. Rachial and Tanya dove into discussions on building community partnerships with organizations like the Salvation Army, Summit IL, and LIFTT’s very own chronic disease prevention initiatives.
Cookies at 3:00? Yes please. But not before taking a group photo, sharing facilitator tips in Margaret’s Corner, and brainstorming how to supercharge monthly LWC meetings. These dynamic sessions sparked practical ideas and meaningful connections. And we’d bet Rachial and Tanya left the room buzzing with inspiration—and probably cookie crumbs.
Day 2: Peer-Powered Progress
Refueled with breakfast and Post-it thoughts (Round 3!), day two hit the ground running. Facilitators shared creative tactics, clever incentives, and recruiting strategies that would encourage even the shyest peer to sign up for the LWC workshops. Rachial and Tanya contributed to a group success story writing session, spotlighting the transformative impact of Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshops. The morning crescendoed with collaborative planning for 2025–2026 and ended with heartfelt reflections, resource reminders, and, of course, evaluations.
What We Loved
- The playful yet purposeful Post-it prompts that sparked soul-searching and laughter.
- The unexpected metaphorical brilliance of crock pots vs. microwaves.
- Always the cookies.
- Rachial and Tanya are bringing back fresh energy and big ideas to enrich LIFTT’s wellness programming.
Save the Date!
Keep your calendars open: LWC Facilitator Trainings are scheduled for August 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 26. Get ready for more learning, sharing, and doing what we do best — lifting each other up. From guided imagery to grounded strategy, from shared meals to shared missions — Rachial and Tanya’s Rendezvous adventure reminds us that Living Well is a team effort, and LIFTT is proud to be part of that movement. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and yes—more cookies. For more information about LWC workshops, please contact Tanya Thomas at (406) 702-827, tanyat@liftt.org, or Rachial Combs at (406) 831-0017.