A Chicago mental health leader is bringing together formerly incarcerated individuals and first responders for a community fitness event this weekend — one designed to build trust through shared effort rather than dialogue alone.
Dr. Anthony Jackson, CEO of Dr. Jackson Cares, LLC, will host the Second Chance Unity Workout on Sunday, May 17, at 12:15 p.m. at Orangetheory Studios, 1005 S. State St. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required as space is limited.
The 50-minute, heart rate-based interval workout is hosted by the Second Chance Reentry Court Alumni Association for the Northern District of Illinois, in collaboration with C.O.O.L., which stands for Concepts Outside of Defining Limits. It brings together police officers, firefighters, paramedics, teachers, nurses, veterans and individuals reentering society from across Chicago.
The event comes weeks after Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew was killed in the line of duty This loss has intensified conversations around community-police relations across the city.
"This is more than a workout. It's a movement centered on healing, connection, and building stronger communities," Jackson said. "When people train side by side, they build trust and mutual respect in a meaningful, organic way. Different uniforms. One purpose. Stronger together."
ackson holds a doctorate in education from Concordia University with an emphasis in Transformational Leadership, and has delivered mental wellness training and professional development across more than a dozen organizations, including the U.S. Federal Courts Probation Office Re-Entry Program and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater St. Louis.
Parking is available at the garage at 1001 S. State St., with ticket validation offered.
