30 Minutes spoke with Beyond Tucson Outreach Director Diego Martinez-Barrera and leaders from several partner organizations to learn more about the upcoming Beyond 2019 events. This annual community-wide event takes place on the 2nd Saturday of January throughout Pima County.
This year features 18 unique activities dedicated to encouraging community members to adopt a comprehensive approach to their physical and mental health through the BEYOND Rx Health Formula, grounded in four key principles: exploring nature; good nutrition; physical movement; and community connections.
Diego Martinez-Barrera was joined in the studio with three Beyond Partners. David Armet described ParkRun Tucson’s weekly Saturday run at Himmel Park. Iskashitaa Refugee Network Special Projects Coordinator Jack Speelman discussed two community harvest events. One takes place in Himmel Park neighborhood following the ParkRun and another takes place in the Valley of the Moon neighborhood following a scavenger hunt. Axé Capoeira Tucson founder Aquil Hameed discussed a Beyond collaboration with Jam2Grow in Meet Let’s Beat from 11am-1pm at St. Phillip’s Plaza.
More information is available on Beyond’s website and Facebook page.
Background
What started out as a single day of commemoration has grown to a year-round commitment to public health.
Following the tragic shooting on the morning of January 8, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress On Your Corner,” the Southern Arizona community spontaneously came together to honor, remember, and show solidarity for those that were killed, injured, or traumatized by the event.
As the first anniversary of the tragic day approached, family members of slain congressional aide Gabe Zimmerman saw an opportunity to not only pay tribute to their son and the other victims, but to provide meaningful activities for community members to reconnect with each other while participating in health-related outdoor activities.
Recorded and produced by Amanda Shauger.
