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The Equilibrium Wellness Center is a blank canvas that Paradise Stronger plans to transform into a welcoming space with classes, activities, music and more over the next couple months.
four years post-fire. It’s been a challenge for the community to create and foster shared spaces where everyone can relax and decompress; where they can just show up and be themselves,
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Mercer said. There’s no longer a bowling alley or movie theater in Paradise, for example. Many people still don’t have actual living rooms and are longing for them. Singer said his goal is to provide a space
geared toward “helping people find their own head space and emotional space so they can feel like they have some kind of reprieve; they can have a break from life.” The Equilibrium Wellness Center broadens the scope of healing and strength-building provided by Paradise Stronger, which Singer said opened in 2020 with the “desire to help the whole person,” physically and emotionally. The gym hosts monthly hikes, walks with doctors (where participants can get to know a local health provider and ask them questions) and other educational wellness events. Paradise Stronger also offers specialized exercise classes for seniors and people with disabilities. The nonprofit received two previous grants from the Butte Strong Fund totaling $90,000 to help provide classes, equipment, staff, and group counseling. Little with NVCF said the nonprofit has launched successful programs and taken on a significant role in community recovery.
“It’ll be something for everybody. It’s like a menu of wellness, and you just choose what you need that day.” —Jess Mercer
“Paradise Stronger is an innovative program that sees needs in the community and tries to fill them,” he said. Underlying the need for the dedicated outlet that the Equilibrium Wellness Center will provide, Singer added: “There’s a lot of people dealing with PTSD and emotional trauma. There’s a lot of people who need a space to decompress. “I want community to happen. I want community to heal in that space.” Ω NEWSLINES C O N T I N U E D
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