The Bridge Youth & Family Services collaborates with local fitness & martial arts gym

In the true spirit of community FLO Fitness & Martial Arts is making a difference in the life of a 13 year old adolescent, a client of The Bridge, by providing three months of classes at no charge. For this client, the opportunity will give her a chance to learn discipline and self-control and to earn and experience accomplishment and success.

The client was referred to The Bridge by her school. Teachers noticed more than the ordinary disregard of rules and behavioral outbursts by the client and knew that there was family conflict at home. The client has also been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. School staff believed counseling would help improve the student's behavior, attitude and school success.

When the client came to The Bridge, her therapist learned that the client came from a single-parent, low income household. Oftentimes, the client has no supervision after school. Occasional gang activity in her neighborhood limits her chances to socialize with friends outside of home and makes her susceptible to negative influences. Her therapist realized that the client had multiple factors causing the stress and problems in her life.

During counseling sessions, the client said she would like to participate in activities after school and specifically mentioned martial arts and boxing. Her parent voiced the same concerns that many have about martial arts, namely that martial arts teach skills for fighting and injuring others. The Bridge therapist and psychiatrist discussed the benefits with mom, explaining that exercise and the discipline required to learn martial arts would help the client's mental health improve. The Bridge began searching for a place that would provide classes for free because the family could not afford to pay.

When contacted by The Bridge, FLO Fitness & Martial Arts immediately agreed to provide a three month scholarship. FLO owner Achour Esho is an undefeated professional boxer with a family of his own and understood the importance of enriching the lives of teens, young adults and families in his community.

"I know the importance of giving youth the chance to learn new skills in a fun, safe and friendly atmosphere and offering all levels of instruction from beginner to competitive level," said Esho.

The client and her therapist met with FLO staff before classes began. Although she said very little and acted shy, the client's ear-to-ear smile showed that the client immediately felt comfortable, accepted and happy to be there. She started the classes the day after the meeting.

The Bridge Youth & Family Services exists to help kids and families overcome challenges and trauma to lead happier, more successful lives regardless of their ability to pay for services. Its mission is to help young people and their families achieve social and emotional health. The Bridge is known as the premiere agency for counseling, prevention, and crisis intervention services in the Northwest suburban Chicago area. For more information about The Bridge's mission or services, please visit www.bridgeyouth.org or call 847-359-7490.

FLO offers a wide variety of fitness classes for all ages & fitness levels, ranging from weekly Women's Total Body Sculpting Bootcamps, Cardio Kickboxing, Adult & Children's Boxing, Children's Speed Camps, Women's Self-defense Classes, Cross Fit, and so much more.

If you are new to FLO Fitness & Martial Arts, they welcome you to come experience their gym by offering you any first fitness class of your choice for free.

FLO Fitness & Martial Arts also invites you and your family to The AVENGERS Anti-Bullying Seminar at FLO Fitness & Martial Arts on December 9 at 1 p.m. The program is for youth ages 5 -13. Come and learn self-defense with Captain America!

FLO Fitness & Martial Arts is conveniently located at 709 Vermont Street in Palatine. Call (847) 934-1356 or stop in for a tour of their state-of-the-art, 8,000 sq. ft. fitness facility. For more information about FLO Fitness & Martial Arts, visit their website at www.flomma.com or call (847) 934-1356.