Wellness Within REACH: mind, body, and soul: a no-cost physical activity program for African Americans in Portland, Oregon, to combat cardiovascular disease.

Wellness Within REACH (WWR) aims to saturate the heart of the African-American community in Portland, Oregon, with culturally appropriate physical activity opportunities. The purpose of this project is to develop and implement no-cost physical activities to increase the number of African Americans leading active lifestyles, while shifting the community norm. Certified African-American instructors conduct exercise classes at community venues. A pre- and post-questionnaire is administered to participants attending exercise classes each quarter, to assess frequency of attendance, lifestyle changes, and attitudes over time. To date, more than 700 individuals have participated in the WWR classes. Participants (58%) in a recent sample (N=75) reported exercising more now than in the 6 months prior to joining the program. Community members are bringing members of their social networks to try classes otherwise not available or affordable to them. By centering classes around the culture of this specific community, WWR has become a "movement" of healthy, active living.