Parkinsons Exercise Program of Orange County

PEP4U MISSION
To improve the Quality of Life for those living with Parkinson's Disease in Orange County, California through Exercise, Education, Socialization, and Peer Support

In October 2013, Dr. Alan Massing, a Parkinson's Disease (PD) patient and his spouse, Jacqueline, visited Dr. Becky Farley's PWR4Life gym in Tucson. The Massings observed the Gym's legitimate benefits and decided that there should be a similar gym program in Orange County (OC), CA where they reside.

Upon their return home, and consulting with local movement disorder neurologists, it was agreed the south county area was in greatest need. Jacqueline then called on the leadership of Saddleback Hospital’s physical therapy department for support and endorsement. There, she met Dr. Patricia Brown, one of the Hospital's lead therapists who had a special interest in the creation of a PD gym. The two women decided to work together.

A good gym site was soon found at Health Quest, a private gym in Aliso Viejo. Next on the list was a needed tax-exemption for donors. This came about quickly upon applying for sponsorship from NPFOCC, Inc (National Parkinson Foundation of Orange County Chapter), a 501(c) (3) charitable PD Corporation which readily endorsed the new program. With initial funding coming from a generous donation from the Massings, a bank account was the established and the new Parkinson's Exercise Programs (PEP4U) gym came into being. Fortunately, PEP4U became a program of the Parkinson’s Association of Orange County (PAOC), a new county-wide corporation and fully tax-exempt.

In April 2014, PEP4U gym was officially launched. Its early trainers included a strength and flexibility specialist and Yoga instructor. Later additional physical therapists and other specialized trainers joined PEP4U’s cadre of instructors and more PD patients came!

As of January 2022, PEP4U has become an independent non-profit organization with its own 501(c)(3) designation. This is the result of the Parkinson's Association of Orange County no longer operating. Being our own non-profit organization assures that we can operate more independently and efficiently. As well, we have increased operating costs including legal fees, software, financial accounting/reporting and the like.

Additionally, facility rent, instructor salaries, equipment and miscellaneous expenses such as insurance and supplies are PEP4U’s ongoing expenses. Volunteers continue to provide all other services needed with the exception of a part-time (10 hours per week) administrative assistant. Major sponsors and donors are continually sought to sustain the program, keep it free for participants and support plans for countywide expansion that have begun to form. A few years ago, a new logo and website were designed and launched for marketing purposes and as a result, more members have joined. PEP4U now offers 17 classes per week in eight locations - Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, San Clemente, Laguna Woods, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Rancho Mission Viejo, and Irvine in addition to the educational programs, social and bereavement support. Currently, nearly 300 participants are part of PEP4U!

PEP4U milestones as of November 2024

Classes
• Currently offering 16+ FREE in-person classes every week at 10 locations
• PEP4U classes are very popular at the Lakeview and Rancho Senior Centers in Irvine; in addition to a new class offered at Rancho Santa Margarita as of March 2024
• Continuation of the Dance Workshop to be offered at Florence Sylvester Senior Center in Laguna Woods for Winter/Spring 2025
• Kicked off bi-lingual Class in Santa Ana, CA July 2024

Donor Relations
• Kick off 2024-25 Fall into Winter fundraising drive - goal of $10,000 in individual donations and a $10,000 sponsorship for class development
• Recipient of 2024-25 Parkinson’s Foundation Grant Award
• Receive annual renewal of In-Kind sponsorship funding for Graphic Design and Printing
• Submitted final grant report to Parkinson’s Foundation

Marketing
• Welcomed 75 new members for the period January to November -- an 20% total membership increase to 334
• Implement PR plan for PEP4U 10-year Anniversary campaign and 2024 Gala Celebration
• Continue in-person outreach effort to market PEP4U to local health care professionals, senior residences, and senior centers
Implement brand new redesigned website pep4u.org

Social Events
• Fall Boating Party and Potluck Picnic social event for families and friends

Community Outreach
• Present PEP4U program at Hoag and UCI Health fairs
• Publicize PEP4U through the Parkinson's Orange County
• Begin major outreach effort for Veteran's with PD
• Represent PEP4U at several local events and symposia to obtain new member interest and promote PEP4U by giving away promotional items

Ongoing Activities
• Host quarterly PEP4U Education Hour
• Host bi-weekly coffee chat at local bakery
•

Organization Milestones
• Complete strategy plans of PEP4U Mission, Vision and Goals
• Complete redesign of Website
• Held 10th Anniversary Gala and raised over $40 K
• Strategic Planner named to Board of Directors
• Recruit new Treasurer to BoD, still need Corresponding Secretary, Community Outreach Coordinator

The most pressing needs are program funding along with the recruitment of qualified instructors and volunteers to sustain and gradually expand the program. The following list details the annual operating costs to run the program in each physical location.
Facility rental for seventeen (17) weekly in-person classes - $20,000 per year;
Instructor fees for seventeen (17) weekly classes (virtual or in-person) - $51,000 per year;
Administrative Assistant fees - $12,000 per year; Exercise equipment upgrade and replacement - $1,000 per year; Marketing and Public Relations - $1,000; Insurance and legal fees - $1,000; Financial and database software application - $2,500 per year
Continue to apply for grant funding and research potential new sources of funding

PEP4U currently serves residents of approximately 10 south Orange County communities. Plans are underway to expand the program to other areas including cities in central and north Orange County. In addition to five weekly classes at the Laguna Niguel YMCA, we also offer classes in Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, Irvine (2), Rancho Mission Viejo, and Laguna Hills, and Santa Ana.

PEP4U is a nonprofit program which operates solely on donations and grants with its sole purpose to help people with Parkinson’s disease build strength, endurance of body and mind to fight the disease and slow its progression; PEP4U is an exercise program in Orange County to help those Improve the quality of life through consistent rigorous exercise, free of cost; PEP4U offers virtual and on-demand recorded exercise classes including Yoga, Strength and Conditioning, Multi-tasking, Strength, Cardio & Coordination and Shadow Boxing, Tai Chi, Dance, etc. when a participant cannot get to class in-person; all Physical Therapists are licensed and certified in their specific area of instruction; PD Educational Hour is offered bi-weekly to the Parkinson’s community via Zoom; hosting of social events to increase social interaction and support; publishing of monthly newsletter reaching a circulation of nearly 500 individuals and utilizing other media to improve the sharing of information; providing for donated personal computers to facilitate access to on-line PEP4U programs; sharing and publishing of quarterly personal stories of individuals fighting their disease with purposeful exercise.

Successes of this incredible program are many: PEP4U gym saw its largest increase in attendance when relocating to the YMCA providing a full PEP4U exercise and wellness program at no cost to approximately 125 members; expanded our attendance record from approximately 10 members to 125 members and now to nearly 300; increased our Physical Therapist staff from 3 to 10 instructors; expanded exercise classes from approximately 3 to 17 weekly classes; more than doubled our instructor pay from $25.00 to $60.00 per class; purchased additional gym equipment to accommodate specialized classes; we will hold our 10-year Anniversary Gala in April 2024, adding new sponsorships and increasing funds; recruited new board member/treasurer and social media coordinator; publish PEP4U News monthly newsletter; participate in local health fairs, Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day, Fall Prevention Workshop, Michael J. Fox Foundation Symposium expanding our visibility in the Parkinson’s community; host social events & holiday celebrations to maintain social connections and keep members engaged.

Challenges include: expanding PEP4U to new locations in central and north Orange County; increasing our annual income and a budget to facilitate new instructors, facility rental cost and needed gym equipment for expanded locations; recruiting qualified licensed Physical Therapist for new classes; find a way to pay for instructor travel time; recruiting new members to the new locations; promoting & marketing the program to the widest audience and participation; recruiting of new volunteers to support the new class locations; develop a caregiver's support group including an experienced program facilitator; making PEP4U classes known to the broader community including health care practitioners where the newly diagnosed and already diagnosed should be encouraged to access PEP4U's beneficial opportunities which may result in increased physical and mental well being.