Programming for an untapped market can be very rewarding. St. Joseph’s Aerofit discovered a community need for recreational and fitness activities for special education students and adults, and developed Special Education Aquatics to provide them with fun fitness activities. The success of the program can be measured not only by the club’s financial gains, but by the excitement and gratitude of the participants.
In collaboration with the Lamar County and Paris Independent School Districts and Advocare (an adult special education group), Aerofit teaches water safety and swimming to people who are not usually taught such skills. Confidence and self-image improve as water skills improve, and teachers using the program as a reward for their students report the positive impact it has on student behavior during regular school hours.
Special care is taken with these group, as some participants have never been in a pool. Before entering the program, each participant undergoes a physician evaluation. People with special conditions, such as seizures, are carefully monitored.
Special Education Aquatics is a new source of income for Aerofit, bringing in approximately $1,000 during the first six months. The usually slow, early afternoons are now a busy time for the center. Word of mouth encouraged other groups to reserve pool time, and St. Joseph’s predicts an added $10,000 from pool rental income.