Program participants at the Rescue Mission will have more opportunities for strengthening their bodies along with their minds and spirits as Carilion Wellness Roanoke donate 18 exercise machines it is replacing with new equipment.
“We are thrilled to receive this generous gift on behalf of participants in our Recovery and Tabitha Programs,” said Chief Program Officer Helen Ferguson, “as it will give them more opportunities to work through stress with exercise. We always encourage our participants to exchange destructive behaviors for positive ones. Exercise is a wonderful substitute for addiction and promotes a healthy life style change.”
“We hope that engaging the Rescue Mission residents in a way that emphasizes their wellness – their wellbeing – will help them with self-esteem, confidence, morale, and of course physical health,” said Bud Grey, Vice President for Carilion Wellness.
The Rescue Mission plans to put some of the machines in its Women and Children’s Center. The rest will be housed in the Men’s Shelter building for use by Recovery and Tabitha Program participants.
Carilion has partnered with the YMCA, which will provide assistance with equipment orientation and training. The equipment was delivered and set up at the Mission on this past Tuesday, Feb. 28.
