Second Class of Active RVA Fitness Warriors Program Announced
Sports Backers, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, and the Richmond City Health District announced the launch of the second class of the Active RVA Fitness Warriors Program. The application period for those interested in joining the program opens on May 11 and the deadline to apply is June 12.
With support from The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation, the Active RVA Warriors program trains members of the community with talent, passion, and potential to be professional fitness instructors for Richmond’s communities with the highest rates of chronic disease. Active RVA Warriors are selected for their skills and leadership and receive training to be certified group exercise teachers. Throughout the program, Warriors meet as a class and get dedicated training and support from professionals in the field.
The first class of Warriors in 2014 included 18 graduates who taught an average of 25 free fitness classes per week in various neighborhoods and communities around Richmond. The program will grow in year two, training and graduating close to 50 percent more Warriors to help others reach their fitness goals. Warriors will work in communities to expand the fitness opportunities offered through churches, schools, senior residences, community centers and other settings. By teaching these weekly classes around Richmond, Warriors hone their skills and provide a vital resource for communities that otherwise lack ready access to fitness and physical activity opportunities.
Three informational sessions are scheduled throughout the month of May for people interested in applying to become Active RVA Warriors instructors:
- South Side: Monday, May 11 at Bellemeade Community Center, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- East End: Wednesday, May 13 at Family Resource Center, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- North Side: Monday, May 18 at North Avenue Library, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
“At Active RVA, our goal is to improve the quality of life for all Richmonders through active living,” says Ruth Morrison, of Active RVA and Sports Backers. “Active RVA Warriors are an important part of achieving this goal by creating opportunities for all Richmonders to get healthy and stay in shape. The Warriors are a voice of encouragement and support for our communities that can use it most.”
“We’re growing the program this year because the results we’ve seen for community health are critical,” said Abbey Johnson of the Richmond City Health District. Since 2014, participants in Warriors’ classes have lost weight, reduced dependence on medications, and improved their health and fitness. “By training Warriors, we’re able to improve chronic disease and fitness in priority communities across Richmond.”
The Active RVA Warriors program is funded in part by a $150,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to Sports Backers. To learn more about applying for or hosting group exercise classes for your community, visit www.activerva.org/about/projects/warriors.
###
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation
Through charitable grant making, the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, promotes Anthem’s inherent commitment to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield serves. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s annual associate giving campaign and its parent foundation provides a 50 percent match of associates’ campaign pledges. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Sports Backers
Sports Backers is a non-profit organization that pursues a goal to transform greater Richmond into the most physically active community in the nation by leading the area in embracing and celebrating an active lifestyle. Sports Backers events and programs are designed to foster active lifestyles for everyone. For more information on how Sports Backers is Powering an Active RVA, visit www.sportsbackers.org.