College students with autism flex skills at gym in West Chester
WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- After Tyler Haines graduated from West Chester University, he wanted to find a way to form a hyper local community surrounding fitness and exercise.
That's why he founded Fitness Factory in 2024.
But during the process of starting his business, he bumped into an old gym buddy, Cherie Fishbaugh at a coffee shop.
Fishbaugh just so happens to be the Executive Director of Specialized Learning at West Chester University and the Director of Autism Services in the Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP).
After some conversation, they realized the potential for a meaningful partnership.
Thus, Haines designed a curriculum in which students with autism could become interns at Fitness Factory. They could learn soft skills like time management and communications, but also dive into graphic design, multimedia content creation, and research.
The result has done wonders for students like David Shurina, who gained a sense of confidence and independence alongside his new skillset.
Watch the video above to see how the program works.
To learn more about Fitness Factory or the Dub-C Autism Program (D-CAP) at West Chester University, visit their websites.
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