- A
UliftU is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to empower currently incarcerated and returning citizens to become leaders in the health and fitness industry. Once certified, our graduates start being paid at least $25/hour to coach free classes in underserved neighborhoods of Philadelphia with the highest incidence of preventable chronic disease and lowest life expectancy.
Our goal is to create change by both creating jobs for returning citizens and leveraging those jobs to address a public health crisis in Philadelphia.
In early 2019, we began a partnership within the State Correctional Institution - Chester to prepare currently incarcerated men to become coaches and assist with their placement upon release. As of this spring, we have 14 men enrolled in this program working towards certification, almost entirely black men and men of color. Our program meets weekly for 90 minutes and includes classroom sessions as well as practical hands on training.
Until recently, we had partnered with CrossFit to provide these certs for us. Three weeks ago we ended that partnership due to the actions of CrossFit's CEO. This means that we need to now pay for certifications for these men through a new partner.
We now will be working with the International Sport Science Association (ISSA) to certify the men in our program. However, this is where we need your help. It will now cost $500 per individual for the course materials and testing.
Why is this important? Let's share some stats:
1. It costs taxpayers $40,000 per year to incarcerate someone in our state
2. 60% of returning citizens end up re-incarcerated
3. Employment opportunities for returning citizens are often unstable/low paying
By coming home already certified, we've reduced a massive barrier to working and thus getting on a better track immediately to stay out of prison. Better yet, we can be a placement resource because of how well we know each man having worked closely each week for months.
Your help and support can help a returning citizen break the cycle of incarceration and poverty while starting a career in health and fitness.
Thank you for your support!!
- Wylie Belasik, Founder and Executive Director
Our goal is to create change by both creating jobs for returning citizens and leveraging those jobs to address a public health crisis in Philadelphia.
In early 2019, we began a partnership within the State Correctional Institution - Chester to prepare currently incarcerated men to become coaches and assist with their placement upon release. As of this spring, we have 14 men enrolled in this program working towards certification, almost entirely black men and men of color. Our program meets weekly for 90 minutes and includes classroom sessions as well as practical hands on training.
Until recently, we had partnered with CrossFit to provide these certs for us. Three weeks ago we ended that partnership due to the actions of CrossFit's CEO. This means that we need to now pay for certifications for these men through a new partner.
We now will be working with the International Sport Science Association (ISSA) to certify the men in our program. However, this is where we need your help. It will now cost $500 per individual for the course materials and testing.
Why is this important? Let's share some stats:
1. It costs taxpayers $40,000 per year to incarcerate someone in our state
2. 60% of returning citizens end up re-incarcerated
3. Employment opportunities for returning citizens are often unstable/low paying
By coming home already certified, we've reduced a massive barrier to working and thus getting on a better track immediately to stay out of prison. Better yet, we can be a placement resource because of how well we know each man having worked closely each week for months.
Your help and support can help a returning citizen break the cycle of incarceration and poverty while starting a career in health and fitness.
Thank you for your support!!
- Wylie Belasik, Founder and Executive Director