NILES, Ohio - While the coronavirus outbreak has forced many families to stay confined at home, a group that has been serving seniors and their wellness in the valley has figured out a way to continue those efforts.

St. Joe's at the mall has been at the Eastwood Mall for almost 15 years.  In that time, they have become significant support to the community for health screenings, health education, and health referrals.  For the past ten years, wellness has become another major component - with the addition of fitness classes and a gym.

Nine hundred members use those services.

"When COVID-19 hit our community, we did what was best for our members, most of which are over 65, and closed the gym and stopped the fitness classes," said Shirley Lisk, a coordinator at St. Joe's at the mall.

Lisk went on to say, "we are such a close group of friends and a community that loves coming here, we thought why not try to connect through social media?"

Now, the wellness center is doing virtual classes through their Facebook page, classes like cardio jam, chair yoga, Zumba, Parkinson's exercise, and Silver Sneaker classic. 

With more than 400 likes, the Facebook page offers live videos of the classes and coordinators say they are reaching out to members through the telephone and email to let them know about the programs and that they are thinking, praying, and missing them.

To access the classes, just go to www.facebook.com/St-Joes-at-the-Mall

More information on our site is on  mercy.com/Youngstown/locations