Leo McIntosh, operations director for YMCA of Greater Omaha, recently won the National InSHAPE Community Champion Award for his efforts to increase access for these individuals to specialized physical fitness programs.

“We partner with Heartland Family Service, and this is our third year doing it,” McIntosh told the Nonpareil in an interview.

InSHAPE is a program for adults experiencing serious and persistent mental illness. The evidence-based wellness service seeks to improve their physical health and quality of life while living with mental illness.

McIntosh said they meet with these individuals at the Council Bluffs YMCA for an initial 12-week program that focuses on exercises that best fit these individuals.

The trainers even work alongside them to improve their comfort level.

Once that program is completed, the InSHAPE program participants take part in another 12-week program alongside others with similar issues.

“I think Heartland Family Service is getting great results,” McIntosh said.

Amanda Caven, Heartland Family Service InSHAPE coordinator., praised McIntosh.

“Leo and the YMCA in Council Bluffs have been champions of the InSHAPE program since we first approached them in 2017,” Caven said “Leo worked with our program to offer membership fees that would be feasible to a lower income population. He has also been extremely open to having those with no income use the facility while working with our health mentors.”

The YMCA has also helped InSHAPE provide safe spaces for people in need and organized a fitness class at no extra cost to members, she said.

“They see areas of need in our community and try the best they can to help,” she said. “This is a huge reflection of Leo’s leadership.”

Though appreciative, McIntosh said the award isn’t just his.

“It’s for the entire team at the YMCA,” he said.