Holmes County GRIT Athletics expands free youth workouts for summer

Holmes County’s free G.R.I.T. Athletics program expanded into the summer after a strong fall launch, giving more local kids a place to work out, build habits and stay engaged when school is out.

Created by the Holmes County Juvenile and Probate Court system, G.R.I.T. stands for Growth, Resilience, Integrity and Transformation. The program is run with 9:24 CrossFit and is open to youth ages 11 through seniors in high school, with transportation provided at no cost. The court says the program is state-funded, so families do not pay to participate.

The summer expansion matters because it gives young people in Holmes County a structured place to go during months when routines loosen and idle time can grow. Instead of trying to piece together activities on their own, participants can step into professionally led workout regimens designed to support them physically, mentally and socially. The court says the program is meant to build confidence, encourage lifelong physical activity, strengthen healthy habits, enhance academic performance and reduce risky behavior.

The county’s juvenile court has made clear that G.R.I.T. is part of a larger approach to youth services. On its public program page, the court says it uses programs to promote public safety, consequences for inappropriate behavior, rehabilitation and structure, while also working to reduce recidivism and respond to youth and family needs in the community. G.R.I.T. sits alongside services such as probation, diversion, Anchor Mentoring and a therapy dog program.

9:24 CrossFit, which has served the Holmes County community since March 2013, brings the workout side of the effort. The court says coaches working with G.R.I.T. students have trauma-informed training, a detail that points to the program’s broader aim: not just fitness, but support that meets young people where they are. The court also says the program offers individualized goals and programming, access to gym equipment and participation incentives such as gift certificates and plaques.

During the school year, the court lists G.R.I.T. sessions for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., subject to change. With the summer expansion now in place, Holmes County families have another free, structured option that mixes exercise, supervision and encouragement for teens who might otherwise have fewer places to plug in.