A stronger paradise through community wellness

Aaron Singer opened Paradise Stronger in May of 2020 and emphasizes that it's not a gym but “a place to regather, regroup, and find some reprieve.” The non-profit center follows the example of YMCA in its offerings and organization. Aaron grew up in Paradise and worked in the ministry, then as an Air Force medic, later in the emergency room, and finally as a coach. His collection of life experiences left him determined to find a way to help his community recover after the fire through mental, nutritional, and physical health. “I knew that I wanted to help people, but not just their physical health. People can exercise, but if they don’t eat right, or they don’t take care of their emotional selves, then that’s not going to be helpful for them.” This is where the vision of Paradise Stronger began. Aaron sought to aid individuals who were rebuilding their lives, their homes, and reconnecting with their community by addressing their overall wellness, and this was the modality that made the most sense for him.

There are four key elements of the center: fitness, wellness, community, and recovery. The fitness component addresses an individual’s ability to complete everyday activities with strength and cardiovascular endurance, and as such, is different for each person. Aaron says that he doesn’t have classes on Saturday on purpose, “I feel like whatever you do in the gym, whether it’s strength training or yoga, it’s to prepare you to go spend time with your kids or hang out with your friends and family. Fitness is something I do to have the fun that I want to have in life.” They offer a wide variety of classes including functional fitness, yoga, spin, senior oriented programs, and children’s tumbling.

The next piece of the philosophy is wellness, which can take on many different forms. For instance, some people’s wellness means they need a roof over their head and food to eat. One of their programs is called ‘A Simple Gesture’ which is a national non-profit hunger relief program. They collect food from donors and then distribute that to food pantries throughout the area. They also have food available in the wellness center that people are welcome to take and enjoy as they need. The center offers free community lectures by area professionals on topics of nutrition, mental health, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and various other subjects.

Community is the third element of Paradise Stronger. Aaron wants to provide a place for the residents of Paradise and surrounding areas to connect and collaborate. Their community space, known as Equilibrium, is essentially a living room for the entire community. Jess Mercer has been dedicated to designing and creating this recovery space. A space where families can play pool or air hockey, grab a snack from the fridge and hang out on the couch, or visit the sensory room to focus and reset. They also have monthly hikes to bring people together and help rebuild those relationships lost and disrupted by the fire.

Recovery is the final component of the center, a place to step away from the emotional trauma they’ve endured. They offer PTSD counseling and provide connections with other entities like the Spiritual and Emotional Wellness group through the Camp Fire Collaborative.

These relationships allow them to direct clients towards the right resource to help them as they journey back from their difficult experiences.

Paradise Stronger couldn’t be where it is today without the help of many individuals who share the vision and understand where the organization is headed, from its eleven board members to the coaches who work directly with the community. Aaron credits coach and wife Shannon’s support as invaluable. “She’s very patient with me, and I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Visit their website at paradisestronger.org or stop in and see everything they have to offer the community at 6848 Skyway Suite P in Paradise

Fifty Years and counting

As Chris Redes says about her husband, Oscar, “When Oscar joins a club, he is all in.” Boy Howdy! During their fifty year marriage living in Orland, Oscar has been a member of just about every fraternal organization in town: Fraternal Order of Eagles, The Kiwanis, The Knights of Columbus, The Loyal Order of Moose, and Orland Chamber of Commerce. Not only a member, but Oscar has been president of each of those organizations. He didn’t join the Rotary Club as they meet at lunch, and Oscar was always out painting a sign or back in the workshop screen printing apparel.

One avocation Oscar is particularly proud of is that 2022 marked the 40th year he worked as the football timekeeper in the Orland High School Press Box at the OHS sports stadium. “The referees rely on the timekeeper to be professional,” he said. “They often consult me to make sure the time is correct.” It’s not as easy as it sounds. Mistakenly adding or deleting even a few seconds can affect the outcome of a game.

Fifty years may seem like a long time, but for Chris and Oscar the years have been filled with love, affection, and the ability to make the right decisions. It’s always fun to think about love at first sight, but for the Redes that was pretty much the case. Chris grew up in Orland, graduating from Orland High School, a happy hometown girl. Oscar grew up in East L.A., next to actor Edward James Olmos, and attended a new charter high school called Nogales High, where the mascot was the Nobles. Oscar came to know the mascot well, as he ended up painting the mascot in the gym and locker room, embellishing the handball courts with a huge “N,” and basically creating all the logos and designs for every school club. His graduating class of 350 wasn't much smaller than the entire enrollment of OHS.

After high school, Oscar joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Spain, an important posting for things down the road. He and Chris met in Los Angeles three days after she graduated from high school. They hit it off immediately, and Oscar came to Orland for a visit. He fell in love with not only Chris, but with Orland and the surrounding community itself. “Orland reminded him so much of Spain,” said Chris. “The climate, the agriculture, the landscape—he wanted to live here.” Oscar added, “The people here were so open and friendly. Everybody said ‘hello’ on the street. You try that in East L.A., and they wonder what you want.”

Orland has been good to the Redes family. They’ve raised two great kids, Tony and Angie, and now have grandkids involved in the local sports community. Lorenzo, an accomplished athlete, is assistant coach on the wrestling team. Lucas just finished football as a state champion and is now entering the season as the defending Northern Section Champion wrestler. Their business, Oscar’s Signs and Sportswear, is entering its 45th year in May.

Something that has impressed Chris over the years is Oscar’s amenable attitude. “Oscar is always pretty calm,” she said. “He doesn’t even swear! Not once.”