Fayette County Residents are Staying Fit in Oak Hill
The Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS) building in Oak Hill, located on 141 Washington St., is undoubtedly one of the top spots for keeping fit and active in the area. You can engage in fitness sessions led by two exceptional Community Captains, Sarah and Crysty. On Tuesdays at 9 am, Sarah leads the energizing High Fitness class, while on Thursdays at 5 pm, Crysty conducts an engaging chair aerobics session. These fantastic workout options are perfect for beginners and seasoned pros alike, ensuring that everyone can get moving and have fun while doing it. Best of all, these programs are completely free, so anyone who wants to join in is welcome to do so.
Join an exceptional community and bask in the unwavering support of its members. The participants themselves are a true inspiration. It’s more than just a workout; it’s a fun and empowering experience that leaves participants feeling strong and confident. Remember to consult the Active SWV website calendar before attending an activity for any program cancellations or modifications.
The Importance of Active Places
SALS is just one of the many places that hosts Community Captain programming. Active SWV believes that identifying safe places to work and play goes hand in hand with promoting physical activity and improving public health in our communities. That is why Active SWV partners with various business and community centers to allow programming at their locations. These facilities provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to engage in physical activity, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Workplace Wellness and Community Health Outcomes
Did you know that the average person spends roughly 90,000 hours of their lives at work? With so much time spent in the workplace, it is crucial that employers focus their efforts on creating lasting Policy, System, and Environment changes that help keep workers leading healthy and happy lives. In Active SWV’s 2021-22′ capacity grant cycle, SALS was awarded one of our $1,000 awards to increase the physical activity initiatives at their site.
To increase the sustainability of their programming, SALS included a policy change to allow physical activity time during the workday. This policy change makes it possible for workers to remain active while on the clock! SALS also included multiple systems changes based on education in the workplace. These included simple changes like increased signage around the workplace for tobacco cessation, healthier eating habits, and taking more steps by parking further away. SALS also focused on decreasing the amount of sugary snacks and drinks they provide at office events. The funding was also used to facilitate the CDC Walk with Ease program which combines low impact walking events with educational elements based around physical activity, nutrition, and mental health.
The 20 person staff at SALS has continued to achieve autonomy and success in their Workplace Wellness programming with a second round of grant funding awarded in the 2022-’23 capacity grant cycle. Continuing with their initiatives from 2021-22, SALS is focusing on creating a permanent Policy change to allow more time on the clock for physical activity and education. SALS will report on satisfaction and participation in Walk with Ease and all of their in house planned initiatives, as well as employee feedback and learned objectives from their Lunch and Learn sessions. SALS will also also be creating a Policy and Environmental change to include a a calming space for staff to use.
As we focus more on overall health in the workplace, we can begin to create bridges between workplace and community health. Organizations like SALS that host Workplace Wellness events and allow the community to use their space for activities like Chair Aerobics and High Fitness is a great example of this in action. With partnerships like SALS leading the way, we begin to transform the workplace into a community hub for increased health, economic development, and happiness to all who participate!
To find out more about Active SWV’s Workplace Wellness programming and how to bridge these community health gaps, check out our Workplace Wellness landing page here.
Volunteer Opportunities
Is there an activity you would like to see at SALS? Maybe yoga, aerobics, or a walking group? It is easy and fun to become a volunteer Community Captain with Active SWV. All the training and support you need to be successful is provided for free by our Volunteer Director Elizabeth Raney. Elizabeth will go through your volunteer training, program set up, promotions, and more before you start your program. Becoming an Active SWV volunteer is a great way to increase your leadership skills, hold yourself accountable, and have something fun to do with family and friends.
Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!
Venue Partnership Opportunities
Active SWV is always looking for more facilities to host our Community Captain programs. If you know a place that may want to offer their space for free Community Captain programing, click here for our venue partner request form.
