Devin Frails joins Healthy Savannah’s and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Team
(Savannah, Ga.) Healthy Savannah is pleased to announce that Devin Frails has joined the public/private coalition as its Physical Activity Program manager.
Frails’ duties will include leading and supporting a culture of health in the Savannah area by creating an environment that makes a healthy choice. Additionally, as a member of Healthy Savannah’s and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Team, Frails will be responsible for helping foster sustainable health equity among racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods in the area of physical activity while also supporting the organization’s efforts to increase nutrition and reduce chronic diseases.
“We are so pleased to have Devin on board,” said Armand Turner, deputy director. “He will help bring an insight about developing a healthier lifestyle to those in Savannah’s priority populations who may not be able to access or afford mainstream fitness programs.”
Frails’ previous employment includes serving as a Community Service officer with the City of Savannah Police, and as athletic coordinator for Bryan County Parks and Recreation. He is a graduate of Brewton Parker College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. Frails has twice been honored as the City of Savannah’s officer of the month.
“Being in this new position is amazing, said Frails. “I get to talk to the community about what their idea of a healthy lifestyle is and how to bring healthy choices to the ones in need.”
Frails credits his previous experience working with a recreation department in equipping him to help people understand there are multiple ways to get physically active.
“Savannah has some of the most scenic views and I am glad that I have a chance to experience them and motivate others to get out and experience them as well,” said Frails.
A native of Harlem, Ga., Frails is an avid Florida Gators fan and enjoys slow-pitch softball, kickball, hunting, fishing and traveling. For more information email devin@healthysavannah.org.
ABOUT THE YMCA OF COASTAL GEORGIA/HEALTHY SAVANNAH GRANT FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH: In September 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a second grant called Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) to Healthy Savannah and the YMCA of Coastal Georgia. $5.1 million in funding is being deployed over a five-year period to be utilized in an “upstream” approach to foster sustainable health equity among racial and ethnic minority populations in low-wealth neighborhoods in areas of nutrition, physical activity and the reduction of chronic diseases. The renewed funding enables work to continue which began under the initial, five-year, $3.4 million REACH grant awarded in 2018, and a supplemental grant awarded in 2021 to increase awareness and acceptance of COVID-19 and flu adult immunizations. Working with more than 200 community partners and organizations, the Savannah/Chatham County project team’s specific goals in implementing the new five-year grant include fostering physical activity by creating greater access to safe places to walk, run, bike and play; elevating the health and wellness of the community through policy, systems, and environmental change; and providing education and awareness regarding adult immunizations, especially as they relate to health disparities in chronic conditions of hypertension, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The administrators will also continue to foster stronger connections between people and the healthcare providers who serve them by supporting awareness and use of the HERO Help Me database. In July 2022, Healthy Savannah received the CDC’s 2022 REACH Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity Challenge. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals and entities whose work has contributed to advancing health equity.
healthysavannah.org ymcaofcoastalga.org.
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