Gather in Sweat Unites the Chicago Fitness Community to Raise Money for First Basketball Court

CHICAGO - May 10, 2018 - PRLog -- I Grow Chicago, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Englewood neighborhood through community connection, skill building, and healing, partners with more than 13 Chicago boutique-fitness studios for Gather in Sweat. The weeklong event launches on May 14, and aims to raise money for I Grow Chicago's first full-sized basketball court.

"Many of the community members we serve cannot safely access parks and playgrounds due to violence and gang lines," says Zelda Mayer, Director of Development for I Grow Chicago. "As I Grow Chicago continues our expansion in Englewood, our community desperately needed a space that creates alternatives to violence, and provides a safe place for physical activity and stress relief."

As the first project of their Peace Campus expansion, I Grow Chicago's Breathing and Balling Basketball Court will be managed by community elders, and will include a playground, walking track, space for yoga and bleacher seating for youth and adults.

"The fitness community is well aware of the positive impact that exercise can have on a person's mental and physical health," says Mark Beier, Director of Training of Shred415, and I Grow Chicago Associate Board member. "In the Englewood community, though, it's difficult to access parks, let alone fitness studios. Our goal is to not only raise much-needed funds, but to also promote a part of Chicago that is often overlooked."

Gather in Sweat runs from May 14 through May 20. Interested parties are welcome to attend classes at their designated class rate. To view the full Gather in Sweat schedule, click here. (https://www.igrowchicago.org/gather-in-sweat/)

To learn more about I Grow Chicago, click here. (https://www.igrowchicago.org/)

About I Grow

In 2012, Robbin Carroll founded I Grow Chicago to address the root causes of trauma in the Englewood community. As a 501(c)3 organization, I Grow Chicago's mission is to grow Englewood from surviving to thriving through community connection, skill building, and opportunity. I Grow Chicago's vision is a world where love lives in public, and promotes collective healing and empowerment. I Grow Chicago is supported through many sponsorships from the local community. For more information, visit: http://www.igrowchicago.org/