Series of Upcoming Registration Opportunities Set for February and March
Citizens for Modern Transit’s (CMT) successful Ten Toe Express program is going strong with more than 7,000 active participants, many over the age of 60, who have learned how easy it is to utilize the region’s public transit offerings and their own ten toes to get around town. This spring, that number is expected to spike as CMT is expanding the program to new areas and destinations in St. Clair County, Ill., thanks to the St. Clair County Transit District. Metro East residents can now join their Missouri counterparts to register for the Spring (April – June) 2012 Ten Toe Express Program online at www.tentoes.cmt-stl.org or at one of the many upcoming registration events. They will also be able to step out to completely new destinations in Illinois with the Ten Toe Walking Groups.
The Ten Toe Express program is designed to help area residents increase their independence, accessibility and overall health by learning how to utilize MetroBus routes and the MetroLink alignment when heading to a countless number of St. Louis area destinations. Online tools and the ability to join as many as 60 different guided walk tours during the 12 week spring session make it easy for individuals to familiarize themselves with the process. Ten Toe Walk Maps with very detailed directions to as many as 100 different regional destinations are available for those who prefer self-guided tours.
The program also aims to improve overall health by providing access to walking and eating logs, checklists, tools to measure and record steps, stretching tips, background on the benefits of exercise and nutritional education.
“We regularly receive letters, emails and phone calls from Ten Toe participants letting us know how positively the program has impacted them,” commented Kim Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Some who have never taken the bus or MetroLink before are now independently using public transit to get to doctors appointments, the grocery store and to run errands. Others have lost a lot of weight because they are walking more and eating healthier. The program is having a great social influence as well. Friendships have been made. Independence levels have increased. Participants are having a good time. And, we are excited to now be able to offer these opportunities to St. Clair County residents thanks to the St. Clair County Transit District. This is just one more way the District is expanding the transit services to their residents. An extra benefit is that Illinois seniors ride for free as a part of the St. Clair County Transit District’s senior pass program.”
Those interested in registering for the Ten Toe Express program can visit any of the open registration events beginning this week or do so online at www.tentoes.cmt-stl.org. The process takes about 10 minutes and requires registrants to complete a survey discussing their health knowledge, beliefs, behaviors and barriers, as well as demographics and other general information. All program participants receive a Ten Toe tote bag, a pedometer, weekly walk logs and food diaries, St. Louis maps, safety tips and more. Registration events will be held at the following locations:
SPRING 2012 REGISTRATION EVENTS
Thursday, February 23, Citizens for Modern Transit, 911 Washington, Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63101, 10am-12pm
Friday, February 24, Southwestern IL College-Program & Services for Older Persons Auditorium, 201 North Church Street, Belleville, IL, 62220, 10am-12pm
Wednesday, February 29, Clayton Community Center, Clayton Oasis, 50 Gay Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105, 9:30am-12pm
Tuesday, March 6, Forest Park Visitors Center, Oasis, 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO 63112, 10am-12pm
Tuesday, March 20, MetroRide Store in the America’s Center, Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63101, 9-11am. Come out at the same time and get your Metro Senior Reduced Fare Permit on site!
Friday, March 23, Southwestern IL College-Program & Services for Older Persons Auditorium, 201 North Church Street, Belleville, IL, 62220, 10am-12pm
Wednesday, March 28, Citizens for Modern Transit, 911 Washington, Ste. 200, 63101, 10am-12pm
Funding for this project is provided in part by the St. Clair county Transit District through an Illinois Congestion Mitigation and Quality Improvement grant.