At the start of every new year, I find that it is deeply comforting and motivating to reflect on one word: hope. Hope that the coming year will be my best yet, that I can accomplish any resolutions I set my mind to. This sense of hope has been fundamental to my happiness and success, but unfortunately it is not universal. For individuals who have been beaten down by life’s hardships, hope does not always feel so tangible or present. I feel that it is my responsibility to be a source of hope for these individuals, to support them and believe in their goals until they are able to believe in themselves. I encourage you to do the same. After all, we rise by LIFT-ing others.

On January 24th, over two dozen LIFT athletes and volunteers will begin a 90-day program at the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Virginia Beach. Over the course of these three months, we will sweat (a lot!), learn about proper nutrition and how to eat healthy on a limited budget, and hear from several guest speakers about goal setting, mindfulness and job readiness. Over the next three months, we will work to plant seeds of hope. We will believe in and empower one another so that we can all live up to our own potential.

– Molly, JWFF Program Coordinator

200 miles + 12 runners + 1 purpose of homelessness awareness = mission complete!  On Monday, November 14, 2016 we did just that. After 30+ hours of running, 2 RV’s, one flat tire, and many memories made together, we found ourselves weary but fulfilled as we rested against the White House fence on Pennsylvania Avenue. Over $25,000 was raised as a group from our studio clients, friends, and families before we ever left the parking lot in the early hours of Sunday morning on our journey. We could not feel more proud.

As 2016 comes to a close, we end the year with full hearts. Our team and volunteers are in the planning stages of our next LIFT session that will take place with one of our favorite partners, The Salvation Army. Workouts are being built, supplies are being ordered, and new plans for this program begin to take shape.

Consider raising a glass to us all month long! The Jim White Fitness Foundation is the charity partner this month at Wasserhund Brewing in Hilltop. A portion of all sales this month will go directly back to the LIFT program.

Happy Holidays from all of us at JWFF and LIFT. Cheers to a healthy 2017!

In September we successfully wrapped up our third and final LIFT session of the 2016 year. Our amazing volunteers and athletes spent two evenings a week sweating to the scorching summer temps while serving the homeless population in Virginia Beach at the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center. LIFT sessions run from 30-90 days and include weekly workouts, nutrition workshops, interview coaching, and more. We graduated 14 athletes from this 30 day session and while our weekly exercise sessions are on pause until 2017, our efforts to promote awareness of this cause are not.

We are less than one month away from our biggest event of the year. Our second annual White House to White House run will take place November 13/14 spanning over 200 miles. 9 runners and 6 drivers will caravan from Virginia Beach to DC as they tackle this statewide journey. The goal will be to run relay style, non-stop until our team reaches the White House on the first day of National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week.

Runners have made dedicated efforts both in training for the run as well as fundraising. Many local businesses have proudly partnered with our cause including breweries, restaurants, and even our neighborhood athletic shops. With just a few weeks to go, our team is continuing the charge. The fundraising proceeds from our run will go towards funding our 2017 program and future expansion plan. By growing this program, it is our mission to empower the homeless population to become more active, healthy, and confident as they work towards bettering themselves and getting back on their feet.