Former Department of Human Services Director Justice Maura Corrigan, Caitlin Blomquist, and the former Director for Children’s Services Administration Steve Yager.
Proven Success
In 2014, Caitlin Blomquist was awarded the Best Practice Leadership Award from the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The award recognized the unique program she developed at St. Louis Center two years earlier. She aimed to promote fitness for the residents and others in the wider community through regular exercise and movement and healthier eating habits. Read more about the award HERE.
New Beginning
Fast forward 10 years and three children later, Caitlin has returned to SLC. She plans to continue her work empowering residents and staff to take care of themselves, and, in doing so, prevent pulled muscles, back problems, falls – and long-term health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, cancer, and others.
She does this seamlessly by promoting “functional fitness,” exercise that prepares the body for real-life movements. This includes activities that involve squatting, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, lifting, and more, all of which promote strength, balance, coordination, range of motion, and greater mobility.
“It feels so nice to be back and working with the residents,” said Caitlin. “Movement is a big part of my life and personal health journey. Movement benefits everyone. My goal at the Center is to provide the residents more ease with everyday activities as they age and with functional movement that benefits them mentally, physically, and spiritually.”
Caitlin has also called her work at SLC “exercise in disguise.” Stop by the SLC gym on a given morning, afternoon, or evening, and you might find Caitlin and the residents moving to an upbeat song, with Caitlin’s enthusiastic voice calling out the moves, demonstrating them and always clapping and praising the residents for their hard work. In nice weather, they are almost always outside moving on the track or hiking through the woods.
Rewarding Results
The energy Caitlin creates is felt across the campus. We thank Caitlin for choosing to return to St. Louis Center and Google for supporting her work.
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
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