Northwest Middle School Unveils New Weight Room in Partnership with Elevance Health and Impact Fitness Foundation

Indianapolis, IN – September 24, 2025 – Indianapolis Public Schools' Northwest Middle School today celebrated the unveiling of its newly transformed weight room, a project made possible through a partnership with Elevance Health and the Impact Fitness Foundation (IFF). The initiative is part of Elevance Health’s ongoing commitment to the whole health of communities and is the fourth fitness space upgrade made in an Indianapolis school, in celebration of the Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tipoff, a premier collegiate basketball tournament held each November.

Previously, the school’s weight room contained outdated high school-level equipment that wasn’t appropriate for middle school students, leaving the space largely unused. Now, thanks to the efforts of more than 30 Elevance Health volunteers, the facility has been redesigned with new flooring, functional training equipment, and an organized storage system—making it an inspiring, age-appropriate space for students to develop healthy habits.

“We are incredibly grateful to Elevance Health and the Impact Fitness Foundation for bringing this vision to life,” said Nichole Morrow-Weaver, Principal, Northwest Middle School. “For many of our students, this will be their very first experience in a proper fitness space. We know this will help our kids develop healthier habits, improve athletic performance, and build confidence both on and off the court.”

The Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tipoff celebrates the impact of women in sports, and through projects like this one, Elevance Health extends that impact directly into the communities where students live and learn.

“As an organization, we know that health isn’t just about care delivered in a doctor’s office—it’s about the resources available where people live, learn, and play,” said Anita Allemand, Elevance Health Chief Growth Officer. “By connecting the Women’s Fort Myers Tipoff with investments like this, we’re ensuring that more students have access to safe, inspiring fitness spaces that support both physical and mental well-being.”

Chris Welsh, Founder and President of the Impact Fitness Foundation, added: “Middle school is a critical time for kids, especially girls, when it comes to participation in sports and fitness. Our goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to a welcoming space to move, train, and grow. This project is a perfect example of what happens when community and corporate partners come together to make a difference.”

Following today’s ribbon cutting and remarks, students and staff participated in an orientation clinic led by trainers from the Impact Fitness Foundation, to learn how to make the most of their new fitness facility.

About Elevance Health

Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner whose purpose is to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire healthcare journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead better lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve over 109 million consumers through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, home health, and complex care solutions. For more information, please visit www.elevancehealth.com or follow us @ElevanceHealth on X and Elevance Health on LinkedIn.

About Impact Fitness Foundation

The Impact Fitness Foundation is a national nonprofit with a mission to provide fitness spaces, movement spaces, instruction, and educational resources to communities that need it most. We transform unused or unsafe areas into motivational fitness and mindfulness spaces, designed to promote healthy habits and inspire people of all ages to MOVE FORWARD. Learn more at www.impactfitnessfoundation.com.

Media Contact:
Shelby Kaiser, Elevance Health
Shelby.Kaiser@ElevanceHealth.com, 513-255-8360

On-Site Media Contact:
Marc Ransford, IPS
Ransfordm@myips.org, 317-605-3797