Move Your Way® 2024 Recap
ODP launched the Move Your Way® campaign one year ago at the 2024 Everyday Lives Conference. In the past year, you have shared your unique health and wellness routines and we have gathered some amazing stories! As we move into 2025 ready to keep our bodies moving, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of the incredible stories of movement, wellness, and self-improvement that you’ve shared with us throughout the year.
November 2023
In November of 2023, ODP announced the launch of the Move Your Way campaign with the help of Pennsylvania Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh. ODP worked with the US Department of Health and Human Services to develop the promotional campaign designed at encouraging individuals to find small, fun ways to elevate their heart rates throughout the day through things like chore work, walking, gardening and dancing.
January 2024
Last January, ODP hosted the 2024 Everyday Lives Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event marked the first time we had the opportunity to gather in person since January of 2020. To celebrate, we hosted a series of Move Your Way activities throughout the conference which invited all stakeholders to move in different and entertaining ways!
Activities included:
- Morning walks with Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens
- Yoga with SAU1 power coach Gretchen Laudenslager
- Jogging with EDL Conference Coordinator Zander Gawn
- Zumba with Special Olympian Elizabeth Porter
- Cha Cha Slide with Dr. Beth Foster
And, of course, the Move Your Way dance party, which might have to make a return in 2026! Thank you to all attendees for joining in the movement fun!
March 2024
In March, Deputy Secretary Ahrens reminded us of the importance of keeping our bodies moving and all of the small ways we can keep it up.
April 2024
To acknowledge the National Day of Exercise and ODP’s new campaign to encourage physical activity, Governor Josh Shapiro signed the attached proclamation which recognized, April 18, 2024 as Move Your Way Day.
June 2024
ODP celebrated Sports & Fitness Month with Erie Athletics, Erie’s adult Special Olympics chapter.
ODP joined Erie Athletics team members Dion, Mary Ellen, Roy, Nicole, and their coach, Natalie, for track and field practice where they worked on javelin, shotput, standing long jump, and distance running events.
Read more about our visit with Erie Athletics!
July 2024
In July, ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens caught up with Paul Smith of Lycoming County after a summer bocce ball tournament. Paul, a Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete, saw an ad in the paper and joined the program in 2022. Since then, Paul, with the help of coach Lester Loner and the Athlete Performance Training program, has lost almost 50 pounds.
September 2024
In September, we teamed up with PA ASERT to release a series of Move Your Way social story resoures. Social stories can be a helpful tool for individuals to prepare for and understand different situations, such as going to the library, following the rules of the justice system, or determining when to call 911.The social stories assist individuals in establishing healthy movement habits while explaining the positive effects of regular physical activity. Download the new resources here:
Physical Activity – Move Your Way Social Story
Moving Your Body – Move Your Way Social Story
October 2024
On September 26th, Milestone Health Care Quality Unit (HCQU) West hosted over one hundred and fifty (150) self advocates from the western region for a wild day of safari fun. The Move Your Way Stepping into the Safari event, held at Keystone Safari in Grove City, PA, brought together individuals from Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, and Venango Counties for a day of physical activity in an interactive animal and adventure park.
Read more about the Keystone Safari trip!
November 2024
In November, ODP visited SPIN Community Fitness in Philadelphia to explore their fitness programs! SPIN is a provider agency that also contains a community fitness facility called SPIN Community & Fitness.
Read more about our trip to SPIN!
December 2024
In December, we wanted to remind you of the wonderful ways to keep moving throughout the winter. With shorter days and colder temperatures, many people struggle to maintain their motivation for physical activity. Yet, staying active is important in spring, summer, fall, and yes, winter. This time of year also presents an opportunity to participate in activities that are unique to the season.
Read more about how to stay active through the cold winter months!
Thank you for a fantastic year of movement!
Thank you for moving and grooving throughout 2024! ODP hopes the stories we had the privilege of sharing can inspire people to develop their own movement routines. While this leg of the Move Your Way campaign has come to an end, ODP will continue to encourage you to find fun and unique ways to keep your heart rate elevated for at least 150 minutes and your muscles moving for at least 2 days a week. Keep moving your way!
