The F.I.T. Lab Wellness Cohort

Wellness Begins in Community

By Felicia Henderson, Wellness Program Officer

Every healthy community starts with healthy people.

That belief sits at the heart of our Wellness Pillar and guided the development of the Spring 2026 F.I.T.-COMM Challenge. Over eight weeks, community members from the East Side of Saint Paul came together to invest in something many of us struggle to prioritize: our own well-being.

At Rooted Philanthropic, we know wellness is about much more than exercise or nutrition. True wellness includes physical health, mental health, social connection, access to resources, and having a supportive community that encourages growth and healing. That understanding is what makes the F.I.T.-COMM Challenge so powerful.

This spring’s cohort showed us what can happen when people are given the opportunity, tools, and support to make themselves a priority.

Participants engaged in fitness classes, nutrition education, mental wellness coaching, restorative circles, and community-building experiences designed to strengthen both individual health and collective well-being. Throughout the challenge, they encouraged one another, celebrated victories together, and learned that wellness is not a destination, it’s a lifelong journey.

While the measurable outcomes were impressive, what stood out most to me were the personal transformations that took place along the way. Participants shared stories of increased confidence, improved energy, healthier routines, stronger relationships, and a renewed belief in themselves. Many spoke about how the community aspect of the program became just as important as the physical results.

One participant reflected that the challenge helped them feel less alone and gave them structure, support, and a renewed sense of determination. Another described the experience as life-changing and highlighted the impact of being surrounded by others who were committed to becoming healthier versions of themselves.

Those reflections remind us why we do this work.

The Wellness Pillar exists because everyone deserves access to opportunities that support their overall health and quality of life. Too often, resources that promote wellness are financially out of reach or disconnected from the realities of everyday life. Programs like the F.I.T.-COMM Challenge seek to bridge that gap by creating culturally responsive, community-centered experiences that meet people where they are and help them move toward where they want to be.

I am incredibly grateful to the participants who said yes to this opportunity, the wellness professionals who shared their expertise, and the community partners who helped make the program possible. Their collective commitment demonstrates what can happen when we invest in people and create spaces where health, healing, and connection can thrive.

As we continue to grow the Wellness Pillar, this cohort serves as a reminder that lasting change often begins with one small step, one supportive conversation, and one community willing to walk alongside you.

This is only the beginning.

Together, we are building a healthier community—one person, one family, and one opportunity at a time.