Last summer, the Lac Écho residential centre for youth got a new gym with the help of Serge Marchant, President of Saint-Denis Thompson, who set up the new space. With a generous $3,268 donation from Opération Enfant Soleil’s “Fonds Josée Lavigueur”, Portage has started to equip the gym.
Since the young residents of the substance abuse rehabilitation centre had expressed a wish to work out regularly on cardio and weight-training machines, Portage invested in a highly functional training device that is suitable for all exercise levels and allows residents to choose the type of exercise that fits their needs. Free weights have also been added to the gym to complete the range of available equipment.
The Lac Écho residential centre welcomes nearly 200 male and female youth every year. The new gym equipment will allow residents to exercise as wished and a counsellor or physical education teacher will be on hand to ensure their safety.
Physical activity has a wide range of benefits, including fostering a sense of pride and self-esteem, enhancing the ability to concentrate, reducing anxiety and promoting restful sleep. The Portage exercise centre is another way of helping residents along their journey towards a healthier life.
This is a great addition to the other physical activity offerings that are an integral part of the rehabilitation program, including judo and outdoor activities
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