M.A.D.E. Institute in Flint, MSU partner in new pilot program aimed at health, fitness among returning citizens | News

FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Paving a path forward.

For those who live in Flint, they may have heard of the M.A.D.E. Institute.

M.A.D.E. stands for Money, Attitude, Direction and Education.

M.A.D.E. helps previously incarcerated individuals transition to life outside prison through a number of different programs including skilled trades, life skills and entrepreneurship.

Now, M.A.D.E. is expanding in a different way by helping those individuals live and lead a healthier lifestyle.

Co-Founder Timothy Abdul-Matin says they’ve launched a new two year pilot program called HEALTH in partnership with Michigan State University. 

Health stands for Harnessing Education and Lifestyle change to support Transitional Health.

“The overall objective is to promote healthy lifestyles and living for returning citizens,” he said. 

Abdul-Matin is the co-founder of the M.A.D.E. Institute in Flint alongside Leon El-Amin.

He’s talking about a brand new pilot program kicking off later this month that is centered around individual’s health, wellness and fitness.

“We’re going to have around 30 participants. We want to give them fitness training, nutritional training and coaching. We also want to have some fitness instructor certification for around 8 individuals,” he said. 

Abdul-Matin himself served time in prison a number of years ago and says health and fitness was a major barrier once he got out.

“We always had the belief like if we can change something that affected us to help others, we would put our self in a position to give back. And over the years, we’ve seen how access to health wasn’t there,” he said. 

Abdul-Matin and El-Amin actually ran a similar program last year, but on a smaller scale.

Individuals took part in the program and learned how to properly work out, eat better and be mindful of their health.

“It’s hard to stay motivated and to want to work out, but we did great and a lot of individuals were happy with their results,” he said. 

The program is a joint partnership between M.A.D.E. and Michigan State University, which will help conduct research among participants and also help provide a curriculum for individuals to follow. 

The $50,000 grant to run the pilot program is being funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation.