In February, Kevin McLaughlin, Wayne Curtin, Francis Watson, and Kenneth Kerner, who live at Old Britton Road, began the first of four exercise sessions at HOPEFitness Sports Foundation, a gym dedicated to making health and fitness accessible to people of all abilities.
During their last two sessions, the roommates participated in group fitness classes that included cardio, aerobics, and strength training exercises.
“We do exercise,” Wayne said. “We ride the bike and stuff. I get a lot of exercise on the bike. They have us doing exercises and stretches. The weight is light, like five pounds. I do the weights really good. They have this little platform where you step on and do three steps at a time. They work us out really good.”
Wayne and his roommates also enjoy the atmosphere of the gym. They mentioned the music and how interactive the staff and activities are. Their experience was so positive that they look forward to going back and completing their remaining sessions.
HOPEFitness group classes are valued at $45 a session. Thanks to the Sunshine Scholarship, a quarterly award available to people receiving services from AHRC Nassau, the cost of the fitness classes for the Old Britton Road roommates is fully covered. The scholarship aims to empower people supported to pursue their interests and explore new hobbies through community classes.
Anthony Neal, Old Britton Road Assistant Manager, applied for the scholarship on behalf of the roommates knowing they enjoy being active and were looking for more opportunities to exercise. Often the roommates go on walks around the neighborhood, play basketball, baseball, and enjoy throwing the ball around with Anthony on nights and weekends.
“They like being active and appreciate the exercise,” Anthony said. “They enjoyed the camaraderie, being there with other people made it more fun and less of a chore.”
The HOPEFitness classes are highly engaging. Each class has two to three instructors providing extra assistance with different moves and one-to-one support if needed.
The classes are also inclusive, but costs can be a barrier for people with disabilities who largely depend on benefit programs including Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Through the Sunshine Scholarship, more people will be empowered to pursue their interests and connect with their community, just like the roommates of Old Britton Road.