The Health Education Council participants every Tuesday and Friday walk together to support physical and social well-being. It is a free program that anybody from the community is welcome to join. Photo courtesy of Health Education Council

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Sacramento-based nonprofit community organization Health Education Council aims to improve the health of those who live in historically under-served neighborhoods as a strategy to address health in a community-wide effort.

One of the activities that the Health Education Council has to improve health awareness in West Sacramento is the “Walk with Friends” program at Elkhorn Park, 820 Cummins Way, and Westfield Park, 1916 Michigan Blvd.

Walk with Friends is a community-centered network of walking groups across Sacramento designed to increase active living and social connection among residents by utilizing their local parks and walking trails.

According to Health Education Council’s communication coordinator Ruben Moody, the group goes out every Tuesday and Friday where participants can walk together to support physical and social wellbeing. It is a free program that anybody from the community is welcome to join. Weekly walks on Tuesdays begin at 8 a.m.

“Each session also features engaging presentations and discussions that promote healthy living, led by our diverse multilingual staff in English, Spanish, Farsi and Ukrainian,” said Moody. “To top it off, residents receive free, fresh produce generously provided by our partners at the Yolo Food Bank.”

About 50 to 60 residents are active in the group, with new members joining each week. It is typically held during the warmer months, starting in April.

The Walking with Friends program also emphasizes the importance of making social connections within the community as part of its strategy to promote wellness. Joining the group gives residents the opportunity to not only get out into nature and get physically active but to meet and talk to other residents.

The program helps give participants access to fresh produce at the end of each walking session as another way to promote healthy habits in the community.

The Health Education Council invites residents to come out to walk, connect and thrive, one step at a time.

For more information about the Walk with Friends program, visit healthedcouncil.org/what-we-do/programs/social-connection/walk-with-friends.html.