The Seattle Seahawks are about to become the first team to enter the NFL playoffs with a losing record. The week of the big game, players were on hand to celebrate a big win for the Garfield Teen Life Center as the team has donated $25,000 to help fund the center’s new fitness program.

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“We need solid allies in the private sector to help us achieve that objective. We have found that in the Seattle Seahawks football team,” Seattle Parks head Christopher Williams said in a statement.

The full media release from Seattle Parks is below.

Team donates $25,000 to complete facility for local youth

RENTON, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Parks and Recreation opened a fitness center at the Garfield Teen Life Center today. The new “Seahawks PLAY 60 Youth Fitness Zone” will provide access to quality fitness equipment and programs to local youth in order to help them obtain 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

“We are excited to partner with two organizations that are committed to providing the resources and expertise to help our youth achieve their goals both on and off the playing field,” said Seahawks president Peter McLoughlin.

A key component to the partnership is a contract with the Austin Foundation to provide dedicated fitness trainers to support the program and monitor the participant’s progress through the existing Garfield Teen Life Centers health and fitness programs. With the support of this donation, Seattle Park’s Teen Express Fitness Program will now operate in the center.

The Seattle Park’s Teen Express Fitness programs focus on exercise routines that engage teens and encourage them to make safe and healthy decisions. These programs also stress family participation by hosting monthly demonstrations on fitness and nutrition. Area youths will be able to register each quarter for a three month fitness program free of charge.

The Austin Foundation provides coaching to youth in cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, strength training and nutrition. This model allows each student to undergo a positive physical transformation that can carry over into other areas of his or her life. By focusing on individual fitness, each participant develops a sustainable set of skills and motivation to make healthy choices.

“Teaching youth the value of health and fitness is a core goal of our Healthy Parks, Healthy You initiative,” said Christopher Williams, Acting Superintendent. “We need solid allies in the private sector to help us achieve that objective. We have found that in the Seattle Seahawks football team.”

The Garfield Teen Life Center, in Seattle’s Central Area, is well-known for its unique and diverse programs for youth 14 to 17 years old. The facilities include a music studio, technology lab, basketball gym, full kitchen, multi-purpose room – and now a fully outfitted fitness center.

The center hosts the Teen Late Night program, which provides a safe place for teens to hang out between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. Activities include flag football, basketball, dodgeball, movies, cooking classes, martial arts, dancing, the lyricist lounge, and lots of games.