REACH Team Member Selected by America Walks to Create Safer Walking Conditions in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. - June 8, 2020 - PRLog -- America Walks, a national advocacy organization working to empower communities to create safe, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk and move, has selected Armand Turner of Healthy Savannah and the REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) Team for a Walking College Fellowship as part of the 2020 program.

The fellowship will enable Turner and other advocates from around the country to participate in a training program designed to strengthen local efforts to make communities more walkable and livable.

Locally, the REACH team of Project HOPE (Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity) is dedicated to closing the gap in health disparities among various populations in Savannah and Chatham County. Many of those disparities are rooted in barriers to physical activity. The effort is supported by the YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah through grant funding awarded through the Centers for Disease Control's REACH program.

The Tide to Town project will consist of nearly 30 miles of protected walking and bicycling trails throughout Savannah. The urban trail system will address an urgent public safety issue and will be designed with the entire community in mind. Currently, Georgia ranks as the sixth most dangerous state for people walking, and Savannah is one of the most dangerous cities within the state for crashes between drivers and people walking or bicycling.

The curriculum of the Walking College aims to expand the capacity of local advocates to be effective community change agents. Fellows will participate in learning about topics such as the science behind the benefits of walking, evaluation of built environments, as well as communication skills and building relationships with stakeholders and decision makers.

ABOUT REACH SAVANNAH
In September of 2018, The YMCA of Coastal Georgia and Healthy Savannah were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million dollar Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health (REACH) grant from the Center for Disease Control. Through this funding, the Savannah / Chatham County REACH team works to close the gaps in health disparities among priority populations in Savannah and Chatham County in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and community – clinical linkages. The local project is called HOPE, Healthy Opportunities Powering Equity. Working with over 20 community partners and organizations, the REACH team works to provide equal and consistent access to ensure the health and wellness of our community through policy, systems, and environmental change. www.ymcaofcoastalga.org www.healthysavannah.org

REACH CONTACT
Armand Turner
Physical Activity Program Manager for the REACH Grant / Healthy Savannah & YMCA
Armand.turner@ymcaofcoastalga.org
219-801-1477

MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912.844.9990
www.carriagetradepr.com
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com