This blog is authored by Jonathon Stalls
Walk2Connect, a program of America Walks, is an innovative leadership development model focused on connection-focused walking/rolling events. Our Walking/Rolling Movement Leader training centers the unique goals, abilities, and interests of each participant to make hosting movement experiences fun, healthy, and inviting. Our training model includes topics of public health, social connection, diversity and inclusion, nature connection, pedestrian advocacy, and more.
At every Walk2Connect workshop, we start with at least 30 minutes of movement. Participants get to know one another side by side while increasing blood flow and opening creative channels.
This was a full day gathering in Saratoga Springs focused on developing staff and volunteers to host “connection-focused” walking/rolling events and walk/roll audits.
In the morning, we explored the vast benefits of moving the way we’re made to, followed by skill building around route development, creative programming, co-creation strategies, group safety, navigating diverse paces and abilities, building trust and social connection, event promotion, and more.
In advocacy work, we have a lot of room to explore creative approaches for how we connect the broader public to the vast benefits of more walkable, accessible, and transit-friendly infrastructure. Our Walk2Connect programming encourages participants to think far outside the box when considering the types of walking/rolling events they or their teams might host.
In the afternoon, we shared personal “mobility stories” related to our primary mode of getting around (by car, by bike, by foot, using transit, on a wheelchair, etc.) and how that informs our understanding of transportation systems. This was followed by a presentation on road design, pedestrian lived experience, non-driver behavior, mobility justice (who is impacted the most based on race, class, and ability—and why?), and walk/roll audit facilitation.
Our training program can be customized for virtual, half-day, full-day, or a long-term program launch. It can also be customized to focus more heavily on walking/rolling audit facilitation depending on the goals of the group. We find that hosting movement events with elected officials, transportation agencies, residents, and community organizations can dramatically influence how people experience and understand infrastructure as it relates to safe, accessible, and dignified pedestrian mobility.
After the presentation, we went back outside to demonstrate what was covered throughout the day, which included auditing several roads, transit stops, and intersections.
All of our workshops include movement. We work with partners and hosts to create meaningful walking/rolling routes for each training. As we move, we make sure participants get to observe and practice what they have learned. Facilitating a walking/rolling group comes with a lot of unknowns, such as pacing, route safety/accessibility, rest/seating, weather, restrooms, and road crossings. Our training facilitators come with years of experience hosting walking/rolling events with a wide variety of groups. We want everyone who participates to leave with more confidence, tangible facilitation skills, and excitement around what’s possible when we get folks out to move alongside one another and through their communities.
When scouting routes for Walk2Connect workshops, I always keep an eye out for the “Mother Trees.” Toward the end of our morning connection walk, I invited participants to pause, notice, and take a deep breath near this beautiful, wise, and twisting tree. Investing in walk/roll event leadership is no small thing. It has lasting benefits—in mind, heart, body, and community.
Learn more about Walk2Connect programming.
One of the grantees who attended our workshop provided the following feedback:
“The Sep 29 session with Jonathon firmly remains within my headspace as one of the
most meaningful, relevant and helpful experiences during the 2+ decades as a Department of Health (DOH) implementation partner…
And leaving with [a copy of Jonathon’s’ book] Walk – Slow Down, Wake Up and Connect at 1-3 Miles per Hour is enjoyably and provocatively extending the September 29 session, as it deeply explores and illuminates the context for the natural movement of walking/rolling within our environments…
Jonathon showed up with a profoundly inclusive, humble, thoughtful, engaging, insightful, practical, inspiring, and powerful invitation around the multi-faceted benefits of—and barriers that limit/prevent all community members from—walking and rolling. Every component of the session was tremendously valuable. Thank you, Dan and Jonathon.”
Want to bring Walk2Connect and Walk/Roll Audit leadership training to your community? Let us know!
