Innovative Fitness has awarded the 2023 Chris Conti Memorial Grant to Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Georgia. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Georgia was established in Cobb County in 1973 at the invitation of Gov. Jimmy Carter. Since then, they have provided hope and healing for children, adolescents, and young adults living with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive differences. Kids living at Devereux have experienced abuse, extreme poverty, trauma, and violence.
The new fitness amenity will be located on Devereux’s Cobb County campus which is also the location of a full-time residential facility as well as an accredited school for youth between the ages of nine and 21. Kristina Murfin-Higel, Recreation Therapy Manager at Devereux Georgia, said that their mission is to “provide resources and services that will allow our youth to not only thrive while they are with us on campus, but they can also thrive and reach their full potential once they leave us.”
Devereux Georgia’s goal in applying for the CCMG was to help the youth find a passion forexercise, which will not only benefit their physical health, but also their mental health. Due to the lack of resources, it is difficult “to build a program based on all of the children’s needs” said Murfin-Higel. They also look forward to the new space being a resource for employees to exercise and increase their overall wellbeing. Innovative Fitness established the CCMG in 2020 to honor the memory of co-founder, Chris Conti, who passed away in March of 2019. The creation of the CCMG coincides with the company’s motto, “See a need, fill a need”, and carries on Chris’ notable generosity and service to his community.
Innovative Fitness is a national supplier of fitness equipment and athletic flooring and provides a full range of services to their clients in both commercial and residential settings. The company strives to identify each client’s specific needs and goals to provide custom solutions that result in a one-of-a-kind fitness space. They are led by their core mission: uniting fitness and philanthropy to create and inspire healthier communities.
