St Louis Center to provide transportation to community movement programs
St. Louis Center has received a transportation grant from St. Joseph Mercy Health Systems to provide transportation to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to and from St. Louis Center for their Fitness for Life Program. Photo courtesy of St. Louis Center.
A need in the Manchester area that comes up again and again is lack of transportation. Public transportation both around Manchester and connecting Manchester to surrounding communities is a service lacking in our community. Transportation to medical and mental health appointments is also an obstacle to receiving needed healthcare, cited by Manchester Area residents. One provider, St. Louis Center, is taking this matter into their own hands. They will provide their own transportation … and will be making pick-ups in Manchester.
St. Louis Center was recently the recipient of a grant from St. Joseph Health System, to assist in addressing the fitness needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our area. Now in its fifth year, the St. Louis Center Fitness for Life Program exists to improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing a “functional fitness training program” to increase the physical fitness level of residents, thereby increasing their capacity to perform normal daily activities more safely and independently. This program is open to the public.
According to program coordinator Caitlin Blomquist, “During the past couple of years, we’ve determined that one of the barriers to participation in this program has been a lack of transportation to St. Louis Center for people in the outlying area to become more involved. Thanks to St. Joseph Mercy Health System, St. Louis Center will send our staff out into the community to pick up qualified residents. In collaboration with the Five Healthy Towns initiative, we will make pick-ups in the communities of Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, Manchester, and Stockbridge.”
Photo courtesy of St. Louis Center.
The “Movement & Fun” program takes place on Tuesday nights from 7 – 7:45 pm in the SLC Gymnasium, and the “Wednesday Night Hoops” program runs from 6:30-8 pm. These programs are specifically designed to increase an individual’s health and wellness through physical activity and socialization. Enrollment is under way, 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 “Intake” at 734-475-8430, ext. 238.
For more information about St. Louis Center, please visit www.stlouiscenter.org.
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