Creating My Y…Creating My Community
Twice a week, adults from four different residential homes in Watauga and North Fort Worth load into vans that will take them to the Northpark YMCA. The homes are operated by Safe Care, classified as Intermediate Care Facilities for Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) and serve adults of all ages. The adults come to the YMCA for exercise class, where they dance the chicken dance, spell out the Y-M-C-A song with their arms or perform simple stretches. Some choose to also take a cycle class; others simply enjoy this time with each other as they learn basic steps. Their faces glow as they find friends and move together to the music.
According to Lisa Kirkpatrick, owner of Safe Care, the exercise classes began from a basic need; their clients needed additional physical activity in a structured by appropriate class. The classes have also had an added benefit: participants now have new friends and look forward to exercising with them twice a week. Angela identifies her friend, Wilson, as soon as he arrives from his van. They soon are dancing side by side, communicating only with their eyes as they concentrate on their dance steps.
The exercise class began last year at the Clark Nowlin YMCA. As the branch began to move into its new facility and transform into the Northpark YMCA, Safe Care participants came right along. They attended the Fall Festival promoting the new branch and now enjoy their twice weekly workouts in the new facility. “This class is a social outlet for our clients,” said Kirkpatrick, “they look forward to their visits and love being able to exercise on the new spin bikes or dancing with their friends.”
