Schools
New Program Combines Glenbrook North Students With YMCA Community
Fitness Buddies is a newly found program that serves as a partnership between the Northbrook YMCA and Glenbrook North High School's Transition Program, which works with disabled students.
Every Tuesday afternoon, Paige Lipschultz and Stacy Merrigan meet on the treadmills at the Northbrook YMCA for their usual midweek work out.
They both set their machines to a brisk walking pace and pick up their conversation from where they left off the week prior. Any new animal stories or plans for the upcoming holidays are shared -- all standard staples of dialogue for the women.
It’s an easy and comfortable exchange between two friends who any onlooker could easily assume have known each other for years.
Find out what's happening in Northbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We’ve become fast friends,” Merrigan said. “Paige is busy. She has book club, cooking classes with friends and she tells me all about the recipes she makes.”
Recently, Merrigan and Lipschultz were introduced to each other through Fitness Buddies, a newly found program that serves as a partnership between Glenbrook North High School’s Transition Program and the Northbrook YMCA. Lipschultz is a student in Transition.
Find out what's happening in Northbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Transition Program works with disabled students ages 18-21 to successfully integrate them into the community by addressing the areas of work placement, post secondary education, community access, independent living and recreation.
Members of the Y are paired up with Transition students, and once a week, for 45 minutes, the two meet and participate in some sort of physical activity.
“Fitness Buddies helps foster relationships between community members and students while also building community acceptance,” said Mardi Scott, Fitness Buddies founder and Transition teacher in District 225.
Fitness Buddies is an equally rewarding experience for both the volunteer and student, she explained. For the student, it is about developing a relationship with someone outside of Transition who they can keep in contact with after graduation. This helps in developing a sense of independence and acceptance.
As for the volunteer, they are gaining new perspective about people with disabilities, Scott said. They are able to connect in a more personal way with the student and really give back by helping develop this type of friendship.
“I think for most of us, working out with a buddy is motivating. However, with Fitness Buddies it’s not just about that health and fitness element. It’s about being exposed to a new type of relationship and gaining perspective,” she said.
And for Lipschultz and Merrigan, all the benefits of Fitness Buddies hold true. Lipschultz very much views Merrigan as her friend both in and out of the gym. The two will sometimes text to keep in contact in between workouts.
“We talk about everything,” Lipschultz said.
“It’s definitely fitness, but we are for sure friends,” Merrigan said before turning her attention back to Lipschultz. “It’s been so fun getting to know you. You know that Paige?”
