The Starke County Community Foundation (SCCF) is proud to announce recent grant support for Intrepid Phoenix, a nonprofit organization helping individuals in recovery from substance use disorder through a unique combination of fitness and fellowship.
The SCCF Ambassadors Club awarded Intrepid Phoenix a $1,000 pop-up grant, while the SCCF Grants Committee approved an additional $3,000 grant in support of the organization’s Fitness for Recovery program in Starke County.
Since March 2022, Intrepid Phoenix has partnered with Hard Knox Gym in Knox to provide free gym memberships and fitness support to local residents in recovery. To date, the program has served 32 individuals in Starke County who have logged more than 500 workouts. The organization designs personalized programs to help members set fitness goals, attend group classes, and access certified trainers and nutrition guidance—all at no cost.
“We are extremely grateful to the Northern Indiana Community Foundation for this grant award and their continued support of Intrepid Phoenix! Since March of 2022, we have operated our Fitness for Recovery program at Hard Knox Gym in Knox, Indiana. Any Starke County resident that is in recovery from substance use disorder can join and receive a gym membership at no cost,” said Larry Smith, Founder and CEO of Intrepid Phoenix. Founded in 2017, Intrepid Phoenix has grown into a multi-county program serving more than 2,000 people across Indiana and beyond. By integrating fitness into the recovery process, the organization provides a supportive community that improves physical, mental, and emotional health while helping individuals build new, healthy routines that strengthen long-term recovery.
These grants were made possible through the Starke County Community Fund, which supports local programs and initiatives that improve quality of life. Donations to this fund are currently eligible for matching dollars through the GIFT VIII initiative, meaning every $1 given is matched with an additional $2.
To learn more about supporting programs like this, or to make a gift that triples in impact, visit www.nicf.org or contact the Starke County Director of Development Jacque Ryan at 574.772.3665.
