Activate Phoenixville
Visit our website to learn more! http://activatephoenixvillearea.org/
Current Initiatives
Girls on the Run (GOTR) and Girls on Track (GOT): The biannual 10-week program (runs in the fall and spring season) meets twice a week for 90 minutes and uses the power of running to help prepare
3rd – 8th grade girls for a lifetime of self respect and healthy living. APA supports the following schools that currently have a GOTR or GOT program: East Pikeland, Barkley, Schuylkill Elementary Schools, and Renaissance Academy lower and middle schools. Five hundred girls and adult buddies from Phoenixville complete the 5K annually.
Phantom Phitness Club (PPC): APA developed this program to target 5th grade children who are considered obese or obese-at-risk for at least two years, as determined by data from the school nurses and BMI index. The PPC is a free, ten week, after-school program that builds the participant’s emotional and physical health through an uplifting and fun curriculum that combines physical activity, behavior modification tools, and nutrition feedback. APA runs the program in partnership with the Phoenixville YMCA.
Fall and spring community walks: The Phoenixville community is invited to attend these two annual walks at scenic locations, showcasing Phoenixville’s natural beauty, building community, and getting people moving. Food and beverages are donated from local businesses and free, family friendly activities like face painting, and a Halloween candy buy-back incentive help to make them fun!
Free Yoga Voucher: The Community expressed interest in low cost beginner yoga, so APA responded by bringing together two Phoenixville Area yoga studios in an innovative voucher program. This voucher is distributed through a variety of channels online and in hard copy and can be redeemed for free beginner yoga classes. Hundreds of vouchers have been distributed over the first six months of program.
Creating community networks and partnership to achieve mission: APA makes presentations & distributes educational resources at, or helps to promote healthy programs throughout the year. APA had face to face contact with 655 community members this year.
Educational wellness presentations at community centers: APA holds quarterly classes at Phoenixville Senior Center to focus on nutrition education, fitness, and wellness issues that applies to an aging population. APA also makes presentations with similar topics at Phoenixville Senior Resource Center and other community groups.
Monthly E-newsletter: APA launched a redesigned educational & informational newsletter that is emailed out to 1450 APA members each month. Recently added features include: Fitness Forum column, “Get Active” Calendar which highlights local wellness programming, Nutrition Corner with seasonal, affordable recipes. The April 2011 issue was translated into Spanish and distributed to the Phoenixville Latino population.
Pedometer Program: APA has distributed over 2000 free pedometers to community members over the past two years. Pedometer receipts are given APA-developed literature explaining how they are used, suggestions about where to walk locally, and encouragement to walk 10,000 Steps per day. All participants are signed up to become members of APA and receive the monthly E-newsletter. APA just received funding to order and distribute 500 additional pedometers in 2011 – 2012.
Activate Chester County (ACC) Partnership: APA continues its partnership with the county wide body ACC by attending monthly meetings, and by APA Coordinator serving on ACC Subcommittee on Healthy Schools in Chester County.
Public wellness awareness raising campaign: APA is tasked with educating the public about safety, fitness and nutrition. To achieve that goal, we have launched a new campaign to educate people via many platforms: a new APA Facebook page, a new monthly column in The Phoenix, a revised website, radio interviews, and more.
APA has recently undergone long range planning developing a revised mission statement, a vision statement, a S.W.O.T. analysis, and from that work, developed a two year strategic plan. We have recently recruited four new Steering Committee members.
Support Phoenixville Area Wellness Committee at Renaissance Academy and help to restart Wellness Committee at Phoenixville Area School District: APA offering key service and resources to schools as they reinvigorate this important committee to comply with state law. APA will advise and serve on the wellness committees to add a community voice to the schools.
For more information please contact Shannon Mannon at activatepville@gmail.com.