Ervin Towers resident Rhonda Pleinis didn’t hesitate to become part of an exercise program at the residential facility.
“You know, I’ve lived here 15 years. So, I’d like to see them get up and get more active. Instead of just sitting around complaining about nothing to do and how they don’t feel right,” she said.
Called the “Movers and Shakers” program, the fitness campaign is part of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University’s campaign to help prevent cancer cases.
This is the second program launched in the Cancer Health Awareness through Screening and Education, or CHANGE, project.
“So, we do exercise, we walk together once a week, and the residents here really enjoy it,” said Alma Carrillo, the community program assistant for the CHANGE initiative. “We know that being physically active is really important when it comes to your health. And more specifically when we’re talking about cancer.
The project began in June with a partnership involving the Augusta Housing Authority, Augusta Locally Grown and the cancer center. The first program brought fresh fruits and vegetables to be sold in the small store at Peabody Apartments.
The complex on Walton Way is in what the U.S. Department of Agriculture calls a food desert, an area where people without a vehicle live one-half to one mile from the nearest grocery store.
CHANGE director, Dr. Marlo Vernon surveyed residents about what they wanted to support healthier behaviors. The answer was a resounding request for fresh produce.
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Residents at Ervin Towers were also asked what type of program they wanted to be part of the campaign.
“We have a community advisory board, and these are more of the residents that are knocking on doors, asking the questions, asking their neighbors, ‘What should we do next?’” she said. “At the end of our sessions, we asked the participants that were enrolled, what would you like to do together to bring awareness and improve our health? So, they came up with a physical program to improve their health.”
Derek Bell with the housing authority said he thought the residents made the right choice.
“I think it was an excellent idea. Because currently there is no Life Fitness Center or activity centers on site or in close proximity. So, this gives the residents something to do right here on site,” he said.
Funded by a grant from the American Cancer Society and Pfizer, CHANGE, is trying to reduce disparities in cancer rates and death. A page on the ACS website explains how exercise can help lower the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer and colon cancer.
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https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet
In addition to the housing authority, the Salvation Army’s Kroc Center is a partner and is supplying the exercise instructors. Also, Fleet Feet of Augusta provided custom shoes to the first 18 residents who signed up to participate. Fleet Feet also hosts a walking group once a week at the walking track at Laney High School, which is across the street from Ervin Towers.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
