In May 2007, Anytime Fitness in Lake Stevens, Wash. opened with the goal of providing a supportive environment in which members could reach their health and fitness goals. What Jennifer Smith, the franchisee owner, didn’t know was that six years after opening the club would also serve as a supportive environment, which community members with disabilities could reach their career goals.
Anytime Fitness Lake Stevens was recently awarded the “Governor’s Employer of the Year Award” in the small private employer category by the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment. The award was given based off of the club’s partnership with Work Opportunities, a local non-profit agency that provides job development, job coaching and long-term support for individuals with disabilities.
“Part of our mission at Anytime Fitness is to be an active part of the community in which we do business, and hiring someone with a disability, who is an important part of our community, would help us achieve that goal,” explained Smith, concerning her motives behind the partnership.
Currently, Anytime Fitness Lake Stevens has one individual with a disability on staff, who Smith explained serves as “gym assistant,” helping with cleaning, folding towels and the restocking of supplies. “It fills a needed role within the club and helps provide an opportunity to break down the walls of bias and prejudice that people with disabilities live with on a daily basis,” said Smith.
According to Melinda Johnson, a program coordinator for the Washington State Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, Anytime Fitness Lake Stevens was deserving of the award, due to the fact that Smith made an effort to be inclusive of individuals with disabilities, despite a small staff. “We felt they were a good example,” she said. “They only have four staff members, and one of those four is a person with a disability. They have a very inclusive and supportive work environment. Even the people who attend the gym are very supportive.”
Phil McConnell, the executive director of Work Opportunities, said that historically, many companies have been resistant to working with individuals with disabilities. However, he said that trend may be changing — in just the last year, over 100 new businesses hired an employee with a disability in the group’s area. And, he said gyms can be a great place for those individuals to work.
“There are a lot of jobs within clubs that people with disabilities can do,” said McConnell. “It’s a good place for them to be able to contribute to their communities and do something valuable.”
As for Anytime Fitness Lake Stevens and Jennifer Smith, McConnell commented: “She’s been really open to working with people with disabilities and giving them opportunities. We just hear amazing things about her.”
By Rachel Zabonick
