CITY OF WYLIE
Friend-Power is Stronger than Willpower in Rec Center activities. According to Kimball, programs like Wylie Recreation Center Supervisor Annika Sacco often observes Parent’s Night Out allow her daughters to meet and socialize new friendships made on the fitness floor, during classes, camps, special events, and in childcare. She with a different pool of kids and get out of their comfort zone. Kimball continues, believes this feeling of connection “I love the Wylie Rec Center because my attracts and motivates many guests at girls are building social awareness and the Wylie Rec Center. Sacco explains, communication skills while working on their “When surrounded by people and staff physical fitness.” that recognize, elevate, and support you, anything is possible.” According to Sacco, the Rec Center is in Barbara the business of creating new connections. Cassandra Braithwaite looks forward Nic Ngoc Marks When participants come together and to joining her friends on the Rec Janie make new support systems, wellness goals Center fitness floor for her self-care Jones-Adams become obtainable. We all realize that routine. She has peace of mind when something feels hard to accomplish, knowing her boys are safe and happy it can be challenging to stick to, but the in the Rec Center childcare. “The sense of community here makes the childcare staff welcome my boys and process doable. me on every visit. My workout is free of guilt, worry, or feeling I need to Barbara Marks, Wylie Rec Center member hurry up, because I know the boys are since 2012, knows friend-power is stronger having fun and won’t want to leave,” than willpower. “Every time I wanted to quit, said Braithwaite. there was always someone there. Whether Mother of young rec patrons Madison and Morgan, Tosha Kimball, has seen her girls grow socially through participation
it was staff, or maybe another person working out, we would share health goals together. There was accountability and community.”
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