THIRD WARD, Texas – In this edition of Our Town, we’re heading to Houston’s historic Third Ward, where a simple Friday morning walk is quietly becoming a powerful force for change.
Each week, neighbors gather not just to stretch their legs, but to strengthen their community, step by step and conversation by conversation. What began as a grassroots wellness initiative has evolved into a vibrant movement centered on connection, civic pride, and community empowerment.
“This walk and partnership goes back a few years,” said Ed Pettitt, Vice President of the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood. “We wanted to get people outside, not just for exercise, but to start building a stronger, more connected community.”
Pettitt believes civic engagement is essential to that mission.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” he said. “It’s kind of a cliché, but it’s true.”
The weekly walks are co-led by FitHouston’s Lharissa Jacobs, whose nonprofit is focused on making daily movement more accessible, especially in under-resourced communities like the Third Ward.
“I could talk about walking all day,” Jacobs said. “These walking groups have turned into something deeper — a way to address social issues, support neighborhood improvement, and combat isolation. Walkers tell us, ‘I’m not lonely anymore. These are my friends.’ That’s huge.”
The initiative has also sparked a unique form of civic participation: the “walking meeting.” Whether discussing local policies or planning neighborhood improvements, participants have found that walking creates a more open, inviting space to engage.
Delores Ford, President of the Cuney Homes Resident Council, is one of the regulars. She credits the walks with helping her lose nearly 50 pounds, and gain a deeper sense of belonging.
“I used to be 250 pounds and I’m only 4’8”,” Ford said. “Because of these walks, I’m down to 202. It’s an honor and a pleasure to walk with my friends, talk with my friends, and love on my friends.”
After each walk, neighbors gather inside the nearby Rado Market for a no-frills “coffee chat,” a grassroots alternative to formal civic meetings.
“The coffee chats are really a way to get residents educated about what’s happening in their neighborhood,” Pettitt explained. “It’s encouraged people to speak up more, and even sparked new initiatives.”
One of those initiatives? A food pantry at Cuney Homes, launched with the support of FitHouston, aims to address food insecurity within the community.
And the impact is spreading.
Pettitt says other neighborhoods across Houston are now replicating the model.
“That feels great,” he said. “I try to visit those neighborhoods, learn from them, and see how we can all grow together.”