Transportation grant to aid physical fitness training for Stockbridge area residents

The “Fitness for Life Program,” now in its sixth year, provides training to increase the physical fitness levels of local residents.

by Patrice Johnson

 Chelsea’s St. Louis Center has received a second year transportation grant to support wellness for persons within the Five Healthy Towns area, which includes the greater Stockbridge Community.

September 2017, the center was awarded a pilot transportation grant from St. Joseph Mercy Health System to help address the fitness needs of persons with I/DD, and in July, the center received word that the grant has been renewed for a second year. The “Fitness for Life Program,” now in its sixth year, provides training to increase the physical fitness levels of local residents. The program is open to non-residents of the center with I/DD.

“We are currently serving people from Chelsea, Grass Lake and Manchester, and would love to assist any interested residents in Dexter and Stockbridge,” Fitness Specialist Caitlin Blomquist said.

“During the past few years,” she explained, “the primary barrier to participation in this program has been a lack of transportation to St. Louis Center for people in the surrounding area to become involved. Now that our transportation program is in place, this grant has provided eight young residents in the Five Healthy Towns area the opportunity to participate in the program alongside St. Louis Center residents.”

In contacting Stockbridge Community News, the center’s Public Relations Director

Joseph Yekulis said, “We would like to be able to serve more residents in need.”

The second year of the “Movement and Fun” program will begin on Tuesday August 7, 2018 with a program called “Tuesday Dance Cardio” and meets from 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the SLC Gymnasium. The dance program provides a warm up that leads into high octane free dancing. “Walking Wednesday” runs from 7 to 7:45 p.m. and will provide participants an opportunity to develop stamina and endurance. Enrollment is underway, and participants must be 18 years of age or older with a medical clearance from their primary care physician. For transportation and program enrollment, please contact Caitlin Blomquist at 734-475-8430. For more information about St. Louis Center, please visit www.stlouiscenter.org.