Coffee Inclusive is inviting people of all ages and abilities to join them for weekly walks along the scenic Susquehanna River walking trail as part of its new walking club program, Walk Inclusive. The walking club is for individuals looking to add low-impact exercise and friendship to their lives.

Walk Inclusive will host 30-minute walks along the Susquehanna River every Tuesday from 2 – 2:30 p.m. starting on April 2. The first unofficial walk will be part of the Walk Inclusive open house at Coffee Inclusive on Tuesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. Walking Club members will start their walk from Coffee Inclusive, located at 350 Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 12 in Pittston.

The new walking club program creates more opportunities for inclusive exercise and overall health and wellness initiatives, which is a high priority for advocacy groups like PA Inclusive and Coffee Inclusive, which work with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) encourages everyone — especially individuals with IDD — to become more physically active. As part of this initiative, the ODP has recently launched its Move Your Way! campaign to promote the big and small steps people can take to increase their physical activity and improve their overall health.

“People in the IDD community have proven health disparities, including a greater risk of obesity and the illnesses that are associated with it. Starting a walking program along the beautiful Susquehanna River walking trail would benefit them and is a great fit for our community,” said Frank Bartoli, president and CEO of PA Inclusive.

Bartoli noted that many of the PA Inclusive staff members regularly walk the trail before or after work or during breaks in their day.

“It dawned on us that this could be of interest to our clients and others in the Pittston community. This program not only promotes a healthy lifestyle, encouraging exercise and enjoying the fresh air but also provides a chance for community engagement and socialization. Community engagement is at the heart of our mission at PA Inclusive and Coffee Inclusive and this program felt like the ideal opportunity to further that goal,” he said.

Anyone interested in the walking program is encouraged to attend including business professionals working in downtown Pittston looking for a brief break in their afternoon, including individuals with IDD, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and anyone looking for low-impact exercise to boost their physical and mental health. There is no cost for the program.