|
|
|
|
|
What is Sumter County Active Lifestyles? Sumter County Active Lifestyles (SCAL) is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) public charity organization in Sumter, South Carolina, working to make it easier to be physically active in Sumter County. Our membership is composed of concerned citizens and representatives from city and county government agencies, local businesses, health care & fitness, the arts, law enforcement, the military, schools, other nonprofit organizations and neighborhood associations. Mission Statement Promote health and quality of life in Sumter County by advocating for a community environment that supports physically active lifestyles for all citizens. Overall Goal Increase physical activity or exercise among Sumter County residents by creating a supportive environment through policy and environmentally-focused strategies. Priorities
Background Information In September 1999, SCAL was organized for the purpose of serving as the community advisory board for the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center’s (USC PRC) community-based participatory research core project, "Environmental and Policy Changes to Promote Physical Activity." We still serve as the community advisory board but over the years have grown to become Sumter County’s leading community-based organization related to promoting healthy and active lifestyles through policy and environmental supports for physical activity. Early in SCAL's research collaboration with the USC PRC, we conducted numerous community audits, key informant interviews, surveys and assessments to obtain residents' opinions on the status of environmental and policy supports for physical activity and suggestions on how to promote physically active lifestyles. With this information, we set our goals and began forming various partnerships to address the community's needs and desires relative to physical activity. More than 45 groups have partnered with us over the past 12 years; many of these partnerships remain intact. We continue to periodically assess the status of environmental and policy supports for physical activity in Sumter County and develop partnerships with additional groups in the community to provide safe and enjoyable places to exercise and to develop community programs. SCAL's long-standing research partnership with the USC PRC continues. In September 2009, SCAL and the USC PRC began two new, five-year, community-based participatory research projects in Sumter County. One of the projects is the creation and implementation of a community advocacy and leadership program (CALP) designed to develop and enhance the skills of grassroots community leaders in underserved communities who are interested in and committed to improving the health and physical activity opportunities in their local communities. Within the five-year project timeline, CALP will be offered to communities across South Carolina. Information about the first and second rounds of CALP is found in the News section of our website. Our other research project, called Sumter County On The Move! (SCOTM), is a walking intervention for all adult residents of SCAL’s partner communities in Sumter County. It will include support for formation of walking teams, leadership training for team leaders, informational materials on walking resources and tips for increasing physical activity, follow-up communication to support the teams, and recognition of team accomplishments. Its specific goal is to increase residents’ physical activity levels. Its broader goal is to investigate whether strategies for mobilizing, supporting and reinforcing existing social networks are effective for increasing residents’ physical activity levels. Read about what's happening with SCOTM in our News section. SCAL has three committees:
If you would like more information or want to join Members as of August 2011 Executive Director: Linda Pekuri
|
