JIM WHITE COMMUNITY FITNESS FOUNDATION

LIFT Fitness Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Our mission is to create a foundation of wellness that empowers individuals in need. We work with people who are often left out of traditional health and fitness services—individuals experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, at-risk youth, veterans facing housing insecurity, and people in recovery. We partner directly with organizations that serve these groups so our programs are delivered where participants already live and receive services, reducing barriers and meeting people where they are.

Our core offering is a 60-day holistic wellness program delivered through community partners such as Salvation Army, ForKids, HER Shelter, the Housing Resource Center, Union Mission, and others. Each program runs for eight weeks with two sessions per week and a typical cohort of about twenty participants, whom we call Athletes. The curriculum blends certified personal training, registered dietitian–led nutrition education, mental wellness and stress-management skills, and practical lifestyle coaching. Health assessments are built in: we conduct pre- and post-program screenings such as A1C and lipid panels when appropriate and track everyday indicators like steps, weight, simple strength tests, sleep, energy, mood, and stress. The program is person-centered and trauma-informed; head coaches and subject-matter experts are trained to adapt content for different abilities and circumstances, and the sessions are structured to build consistency, confidence, and community.

We invest heavily in measurement so we can show progress to Athletes and to the partners and funders who make the work possible. Our interactive impact dashboard aggregates results across cohorts and years and helps guide program improvements. Recent program metrics include high rates of positive behavior change, such as more Athletes exercising after graduation, clearer long-term goal setting, increased daily fruit and vegetable intake, and meaningful reductions in self-reported stress. We track these outcomes alongside biometric measures where available so we can see both immediate and longer-term health shifts. This data is used to refine session plans, coach training, and the practical supports we provide at each site.

Support does not end at graduation. LIFT’s AFTER Program keeps alumni engaged with ongoing activities, accountability, and access to partner resources. Graduates are encouraged to stay connected through alumni groups, periodic meet-ups, and return participation when appropriate. We also remove practical obstacles to getting started: Athletes receive essential gear for safe movement, and graduates receive Brooks running shoes at completion. These tangible supports, combined with the coaching and community, make sustained change more realistic for people who have a lot working against them.

LIFT builds impact through partnership. We co-design each program with the host organization to align with their population, schedules, and facility constraints, and we coordinate the volunteer team—head coaches, trainers, yoga instructors, registered dietitians, and mental wellness professionals—to deliver a consistent experience. We also maintain relationships with local schools and training programs to create a pipeline of qualified volunteers. The result is a model that is structured and measurable but flexible enough to work in shelters, transitional housing programs, youth settings, and other community environments.

Community engagement and fundraising events help fuel this work and raise awareness. LIFT coordinates an annual party with a silent auction, the LIFTathon (a bench press and deadlift fundraiser), and a long-distance relay event that highlights homelessness among veterans. These events connect donors, volunteers, and program partners to the mission and provide critical support for program supplies, coaching time, health screenings, and the data collection and reporting that make our outcomes transparent.

As we grow, our focus is on depth and quality as well as reach. In Hampton Roads, we aim to expand year-round programming with current partners and add additional long-term residential sites where the model shows the strongest results. We are laying groundwork for thoughtful replication by documenting the curriculum, standardizing coach training, and aligning every session with the metrics we track. This includes developing video-based expert content that local head coaches can facilitate, which helps ensure consistent delivery across multiple locations while keeping the in-person support that makes the program effective.

LIFT is funded by a mix of foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, event revenue, and individual donations. We are accountable stewards of those funds: support is directed to program delivery, health assessments, essential gear for Athletes, training and coordination of the volunteer team, and rigorous tracking and reporting. Corporate partners and employee groups often engage through sponsorships, volunteer days, in-kind contributions, and matching gifts; we provide clear impact reporting so supporters can see exactly how their investment translates into healthier lives and stronger communities.

Above all, LIFT believes that wellness is a doorway to stability and opportunity. When people gain routine, skills, and confidence around movement, food, sleep, and stress, they are better able to pursue employment, housing, education, and family goals. By combining practical coaching with measurable outcomes and strong community partnerships, we help our Athletes build habits that last and a foundation they can stand on.