My name is Devin Pablo and I am a Community Health Educator with the Public Health Education Program overseeing District 7, the urban community and part of District 6.
Our program specializes in diabetes education, but in addition, we offer education on a wide array of health topics. As a new educator, I brainstormed for innovative ways to promote physical activity within the D7 community.
Every November is designated as National Diabetes Awareness month and in 2008, I decided that the Public Health Education Program should host a fun run/walk for D7.
Community Members walk in a Public Health Event
On November 22, 2008, I held a fun run/walk for District 7, and it proved to be a complete success. There were a total of 37 participants with 32 being District 7 members. Refreshments were served and incentives were awarded to those who participated in the fun run/ walk.
We had fun and I was able to promote physical activity at the same time. Thus began the fun run/walk era for D7. We celebrated a full year of fun run/walks on November 28, 2009 with a total of 12 fun run/walks that were completed in D7.
“The Community has adapted to the fun run/walks exuberantly well and this continues to encourage the rest of the Community to not only participate but increase the physical activity in their lives as well,” said Devin Redbird, District 7 Councilman. “The success of these events has been phenomenal, and I look forward to another year of healthy success.”
There were many positive comments from D7 community members who enjoyed the run/walk and suggested that I host these events more frequently.
“My sincerest gratitude to the Public Health Education Program for their dedication to the welfare of our community. You support us in our efforts and we support your program,” said D7 residents/participants Pam and Kira Thomas.
Verena Jackson, a Lactation Specialist for the Genesis Program, said, ”I enjoyed being a part of the “Walking Team” as a participant and health educator providing information for the Community on the prevention of diabetes. Most of all it is exciting to see some of my own clients come out to participate in the walks and be fit.”
So I considered all the suggestions and began to plan out the fun run/walk schedule on a quarterly basis. However the community had a slightly different idea and was looking more toward a monthly basis.
There were questions as to whether there would be a fun run/walk for the month of December and this sparked the monthly fun run/walks for D7. From that point on there was a fun run/walk held nearly every month in D7 and there has been so much support and cooperation from the community.
Public Health Educators disperse information to community members.
Initially I noticed that there were a lot of families and youth that were attending, so for the following events I invited other Gila River programs that specialized in the well being of families and youth to setup program booths providing their service. These programs included GRHC – Diabetes Prevention Program, GRIC – Genesis, GRIC – Early Childhood Special Services, & GRIC – Department of Human Services. They all have been attending on a regular basis.
“I enjoy coming out to set up my booth at the monthly D7 walks. It is a great time to meet new people as well as encourage the walkers from previous months. I think that the community members have grown to appreciate the walks that have been brought to their district as well as the health education they have acquired,” said Juanita M. Nanty, Recruiter for the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Every event has surpassed the previous one with 14 participants being the lowest event attended and 100 participants being the highest.
I began this journey with D7 not knowing the outcome or how well the community would adapt to these events, but I was determined and dedicated to go that extra mile with D7. To this point there has been an abundance of support on all levels.
D7 resident Carla Sunn said she and her children enjoyed the walks and thinks they promote the health and well being of Community residents. Fellow D7 resident and participant, Sunnyday Terrazas echoed these sentiments.
Terrazas said, “Let me start by giving a big THANK YOU to the Public Health Education Division. Putting together the family fun run/walks was the best idea ever. It was exactly what I needed to get up and get energized. I feel it has helped in showing my children as well as myself that no matter how young or old you are, staying active is very important for our hearts, minds, bodies, souls, and most importantly our health. Thank you again and see you at the next one.”
Community member runs in a Public Health Education event.
The main financial supporters and those who deserve special thanks include District 7 Councilman Devin Redbird, District 7 Recreation Committee, the Gila River Casino, and Public Health Education for covering the incentive and refreshment costs. There has also been additional support from the following individuals: Juanita Nanty of the GRHC Diabetes Prevention Program, Verena Jackson of the Genesis program, Melissa Barlet and Emily Warburton of Early Childhood Special Services, Marlo Schurz, Shannon Redbird, and Arvis Dosela of the Department of Human Services.
Dosela set up departmental booths on a regular basis at the District 7 fun run/walks and I think he deserves additional thanks.
Thank you to District 3 Councilman Myron Schurz for coming out to the events and showing his support.
Councilman Schurz said, “I have enjoyed being at the fun run/walk events in our community throughout the year. It is encouraging to see the increased participation of our members at the events and to see families exercising together. The departments do a fine job in organizing the events as well. I appreciate our community’s proactive approach in wanting to get involved in positive events.”
Gila River Police and Rangers have patrolled every event to ensure the community safety and GRIC Emergency Medical Service also attended the events to ensure the health safety of the participants. A big thank you is extended to both departments.
Thank you to the District 7 Service Center & the District 7 Community for adapting to these events with ease and showing positive support.
A special thanks goes out to all the participants who have come to any of the events and participated. I want to extend a welcome invitation to those departments who would like to set-up a booth at the events. I encourage those who have participated to continue to participate. For those who have not yet participated I encourage you to come and give it try. We have fun, and we get in better shape with each step we take.
For more information on upcoming events and the Public Health Education department visit www.mygilariver.com/myhealth
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