[IL-Talk] FW: Teens With And Without Disabilities Come Together To Close Fitness Gap

Thu Oct 20 03:13:31 UTC 2022

From: Dakota Karson [mailto:dkarson at jccchicago.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2022 6:54 PM
To: dkent5817 at att.net
Subject: Teens With And Without Disabilities Come Together To Close Fitness Gap

Hi Deborah,

JCC Chicago is excited to kick off its 2022-2023 season of All Star Abilities, a peer-to-peer fitness program for teens with and without disabilities at Bernard Weinger JCC located in Northbrook. The program is entering its fifth year and welcomes back dozens of new and returning teens looking to strengthen their muscles and friendships. This program is FREE, and registration is now open for the Winter 2022 season running November 6 – December 11.

All Star Abilities participants and volunteers, ages 12-18, are paired up for weekly workout sessions featuring activities like yoga, strength training, and light cardio. Together, they navigate the fitness facilities by learning how to check into a facility, use the locker room, access equipment, and have fun while exercising.

I’ve included a press release below my signature detailing these efforts and the good coming from them. I would be happy to send imagery per your request or put you in contact with my colleagues leading the program. We’d also love for you to be our guest on site to see the program in action.

Here are images from past seasons of All Star Abilities:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1db3G1Oyd92Jr0RAhfvilXSGp63PN-EN3?usp=sharing

Please let me know how I can accommodate you. Thank you in advance,

Dakota

-- 

Dakota Karson| Manager, Program Marketing

Bernard Weinger JCC

300 Revere Drive, Northbrook, Illinois 60062

c. 847.287.2047

dkarson at jccchicago.org <mailto:dkarson at jccchicago.org> 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Why Pronouns Matter <https://www.mypronouns.org/> 

 <https://www.sunrise-walks.org/chicago/> 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dakota Karson

847-287-2047 cell

 <mailto:dkarson at jccchicago.org> dkarson at jccchicago.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

WEBSITE:

jccchicago.org/asa <https://jccchicago.org/asa> 

Teens With & Without Disabilities Build Muscles & Friendships with JCC Chicago’s All Star Abilities

JCC Chicago’s peer-to-peer fitness program is closing the fitness gap by supporting Suburban teens with and without disabilities to reach their fitness goals and have fun.

Every Sunday from 12:30-1:45pm at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook.

NORTHBROOK, IL (OCTOBER 2022) –  <https://www.jccchicago.org/> JCC Chicago’s All Star Abilities <https://www.jccchicago.org/programs/accessible-and-adaptive-programming/all-star-abilities/> , a peer-to-peer fitness program for teens, ages 12-18, with and without disabilities is back for the 2022-2023 season. The program launched in 2017 when organizers saw a need for providing opportunities and information to those with disabilities in the health and wellness space. The program aims to foster a community of support and encouragement and give teens a chance to strengthen their muscles and minds when it comes to health and wellness.

All Star Abilities participants are paired up with fellow teen volunteers for weekly workout sessions featuring activities like yoga, strength training, and light cardio. Together, participants and volunteers navigate the fitness facilities at the Marvin Lustbader Health Center at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook by learning how to check into a facility, use the locker room, access equipment, and have fun while exercising. 

Rena Rosen, JCC Chicago’s Inclusion Coordinator shares, “Inclusion is at the core of what we do at JCC Chicago. All Star Abilities is just one of the many inclusive and adaptive initiatives that we offer. Every season, new and returning teens come together and form beautiful friendships and bonds. I love seeing these connections blossom throughout the year and watching every teen grow personally and in the wellness space.”

Those connections, or making new friends, is the core theme that keeps both volunteers and participants coming back each week. One volunteer commented on his experience, saying, “I love meeting new people with different abilities and being able to do something we both love (or just like) – exercising – together. I signed up for All Star Abilities to give back to my community and help kids do something… for both mental and physical health and I love being able to help other kids get healthy.”

This program is FREE, and registration is now open for the Winter 2022 season running November 6 – December 11 at jccchicago.org/asa <https://jccchicago.org/asa> . 

ABOUT JCC (JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS) CHICAGO

JCC (Jewish Community Centers) Chicago, founded in 1903 and rooted in Jewish values, offers a life-affirming journey fostering a connected, inclusive community from birth through senior years. With a focus on growing good kids and building connections, it is JCC Chicago’s mission to strengthen the Jewish community, from generation to generation. Today, JCC Chicago serves a diverse population of more than 60,000 community members who learn, grow and thrive through early childhood, day and overnight camps, teen, adult and family offerings, fitness and wellness, aquatics & sports and special events and happenings year-round. 

With headquarters in Northbrook, JCC Chicago has over a dozen facilities that serve the greater Chicagoland area including: seven Early Childhood and Daycare Centers, nine Apachi Day Camp locations, Camp Chi Overnight Camp and Perlstein Retreat Center (located in Lake Delton, WI) and five Community Centers. For more information on JCC Chicago programming and commitment to community visit,  <http://www.jccchicago.org/> www.jccchicago.org. 

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