In September 2017 St. Louis Center received a pilot transportation grant from St. Joseph Mercy Health System to help address the fitness needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in our area. Recently, St. Louis Center received word that the grant has been renewed for a second year, which is great news for current participants and their families.
The “Fitness for Life Program” is now in it’s sixth year to improve the quality of life for people w/IDD by providing a “functional fitness training program” to increase the physical fitness level of local residents. The program is open to non-residents of St. Louis Center with I/DD.
According to Fitness Specialist Caitlin Blomquist, “During the past few years, 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. We are currently serving people from Chelsea, Grass Lake and Manchester, and would love to assist any interested residents in Dexter and Stockbridge.”
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 – 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.
