What A Year...So Far

7/31/24

Program highlights:

Fitness Partners/Buddies: Our goal is to match many of our clients with special needs up with a “buddy”.  We are piloting this program with a young lady named Julia, who Kevin Burke trains one-on-one, but also works out in my Tuesday evening group.  She was having a really hard time staying focused in the group so she was matched with Katie Garfinkle and they hit it off.  She and Katie go on walks together, work out together and even run 5ks together! They are also part of a UAB study we are currently piloting.  Many of Phase Foundation clients with special needs struggle with exercise outside of their sessions, so this is a way to continue helping them with a more healthy lifestyle while also giving them needed peer socialization.

UAB Research Study:  Julia’s dad is a Doctor at Children’s and connected us to a study at UAB where they use virtual reality headsets to help people with special needs become more active using gaming as a means to get there.  They use this program at Children’s with kids that are bed-ridden.  Julia and Katie are now part of this same program.  They have VR headsets and do kick boxing together from their separate homes using the VR headsets.

In addition to the UAB study and Fitness Partners, Phase Foundation has worked diligently on forming several other partnerships to help us identify and provide services to those in need.

Partnerships:

• Down Syndrome Alabama: DS AL recently received a grant to provide training for members of their organization. The plan is to have regular group classes for their members and their families to learn how to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.  People with DS often struggle with weight, fine motor skills and just staying active in general, particularly as adults. We hope to begin these classes in August.
  

• Equip:  Equip is a day program that teaches job skills and provides social opportunities for people with disabilities. Their summer program came by one day for a group workout. They brought twenty participants who learned how to bear crawl, do walk outs, bench squats and step ups! They are planning to do a regular monthly workout with us once their fall program starts in late August/early September!

• Mountain Brook Middle School: Prior to school ending for the summer, Kevin and Jackie went to Mtn Brook Middle School and did a group class for the special ed kids in the gym. Many of those kids have now joined the gym and we are talking to the teachers about possibly doing a regular workout at the school or the school kids coming to the gym on a regular basis in the new school year.

• Unless U: Kevin went on a tour of Unless U, another day program like Equip, which is located down the street from the gym. Once school starts back we will be doing a regular class at their facility.

• KultureCity: KC is hosting a 5k and half marathon in November, which is sensory-inclusive. Last year Phase Gym had the largest team at the race and we plan to retain that title. All clients with special needs will participate and all members who want to support this cause and support our clients with special needs are welcome to join.
  

Volunteer Spotlight:

Kevin ran in to an old high school friend recently named Shekinah.  She asked if there were any volunteer opportunities as she is really interested in our work with people with autism. After introducing her to a group of teenagers who train together and need more mentors to help them through the various exercises, Shekinah has volunteered every week, twice a week for two months.  She instantly bonded with the young people and has been a tremendous asset. The best part about it? Shekinah is healing herself by helping these kids. She used to struggle with touch and sound, but in helping these kids she is now walking barefoot on grass, able to touch things she couldn't touch before, and can handle noises and crowded situations better than before!