Student coaches are needed for a new California State, Northridge program that will help military veterans — including those with spinal injuries — learn how to hand cycle, improving quality of life and cardiovascular fitness.

To participate as a coach and be eligible for one of six paid coaching positions, students must attend two workshops — the first is 7 p.m. on Dec. 4 at CSUN’s Brown Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity. Student veterans are preferred, but any student can be a coach.

The workshops are part of a new program, named Valley GO!, which is a collaboration between the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity and the Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing, as well as the Triumph Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide individuals who have spinal cord injuries and disorders opportunities for exercise, sports and fitness. Valley GO! is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Following the two workshops, beginning in February student coaches will participate in four monthly clinics at Balboa Park to teach veterans how to use hand cycles, which are propelled by arm movement, strengthening upper limbs and improving cardiovascular fitness.

To participate in the workshops or for more information, contact Teri Todd, associate professor of Kinesiology and a director of the Center of Achievement through Adapted Physical Activity at teri.todd@csun.edu.

Center of Achievement Through Adapted Physical Activity, Events, Institute for Community Health and Wellbeing, Terri Todd, Valley GO!, Veterans