TOLEDO, Ohio — New spring programs are starting soon at local gyms all across the city, but the owner of Go Tyme Grynd fitness gym is using his influence to break cycles of crime with a new program and community day.
Within three years, 20% of formerly incarcerated Ohioans return to prison, according to data from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Deandre Gaston, the owner of the Go Tyme Grind fitness gym in central Toledo, said his goal is to lower that percentage by creating opportunities. He recently announced the new "Hood 2 Heath" program and an upcoming community day.
In collaboration with the Lucas County Commissioners Office, Deandre Gaston will use the program to empower formerly incarcerated individuals to earn fitness training certifications and build businesses tailored to uplift struggling communities and combat Toledo's crime rate and health crisis.
"The Hood 2 health Program is really just my experience bottled up and poured out for the people," Gaston said. "I spent a lot of time in prison, and I came home and was able to move into the fitness training industry and eventually build up this Grynd House fitness center. And I was able to do that because people helped me. I just want to create more opportunities like the ones given to me."
To kick off this program, the participants chosen will be introduced to the community at the first ever Grind House Community Day event on March 16, beginning at noon. During this time, the community is encouraged to tell the newest trainers about the classes they would like to see in Toledo. The participants of the Hood 2 Health program will eventually design and lead free fitness programs.
The the gym is also aiming to keep children and youth in underserved communities active. The Grind House Community Day will kick off registration for the gym's youth programs and spread information on pricing. Gaston said some insurances will cover their programs at no cost to families.
Two new classes that will be available for registration include the Fit Future Program and the Summer After School program. Gaston said these youth programs teach kids the relationship between fitness and mental health.
"The thing I realized since I reentered the community, is a lot of people are facing health issues," he said. "We are too sick we are dying too fast, and we are living subpar as far as quality of life. So, the youth just have to find out what to eat, and they need to build good exercise habits and balance their minds, instead of ending up on medicine or ending up in institutions like me. They need to learn how to cope through exercise and fitness."
For more information about Go Tyme Grynd and the programs they offer, click here. The March 16 community day is free and open to the public.
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