Heidi Burkhart`s Fitness Initiative with Covenant House Back for

For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2016
Heidi Burkhart’s Fitness Initiative with Covenant House
Back for Round 2 at Chelsea Piers this April
[April 15, 2016, New York, NY] Heidi Burkhart’s monthly program aimed at making fitness accessible to
homeless and at-risk youth (18-21) is off to an impressive start. This collaboration between Ms. Burkhart’s
BizLivGiv initiative, Covenant House and the Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, is slated to begin round two
on April 20th, 2016 at Chelsea Piers from 3:30PM to 5:30PM. The program’s “soft launch” in February saw
27 kids from Covenant House participate in a variety of sports and fitness activities aimed at
encouraging collaboration, communication and a fit lifestyle.
Heidi Burkhart, a NYC-based real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist, will once again bring her fitness
initiative to the youth serviced by Covenant House with the help of the Chelsea Piers Sports and
Entertainment Complex. Chelsea Piers will continue to host the monthly events. For this session, Ms.
Burkhart has enlisted the help of Pastors Kevin Cooper and John Love, Chaplains to the New York Knicks,
who will be mentoring the participants on the importance of teamwork and perseverance. Pastor Love
has served as Chaplain to the Knicks for the last 26 years.
Nationally, a staggering 1.6 million homeless and runaway youth are reported every year. In New York
City alone the number is 60,000. Last year Covenant House was able to provide shelter and essential
services to over 2,000 young people in New York City. Unfortunately, access to fitness does not fall under
essential services, something Burkhart’s program seeks to remedy.
“Youth are the future. I want to impress on them that it does not matter what your background is.
Everyone is able to develop the tools to be successful. Sports are a great way to instill life lessons and
highlight the importance of not only grit but also of teamwork and goal setting.” Adds Burkhart, “I am
honored to be continuing this program with Chelsea Piers and Covenant House. Having Pastors Cooper
and Love with us this month will be a wonderful addition to the event. They are the first in a series of
great guest speakers we have lined up for coming months, including executives, professional athletes,
and other notable figures.”
Pastor Cooper says of the program, “It is imperative to impart important life skills like communication and
teamwork in today’s youth, especially in those who lack resources. Athletics and fitness are great ways
to demonstrate these skills in action, which is why I find this to be such a wonderful program.”
Of their role, Jared Deptula, Vice President of The Sports Center at Chelsea Piers, says, “Chelsea Piers
has always been committed to making fitness accessible to youth but it is particularly important that we
make sure it is accessible to all youth. Josh Fly, our director of fitness services, is working with Covenant
House and Ms. Burkhart to ensure that participants experience all that Chelsea Piers has to offer. We are
delighted to be able to host these kids every month.”
The program focuses on youth ages 18-21 and brings a rotation of Chelsea Piers’ instructors to introduce
participants to a variety of fitness regimens and instill healthy, attainable fitness goals. This month the
speaker program launches with Pastors Kevin Cooper and John Love. The speaker program will not only
reinforce the importance of fitness, but also of hard work and focus, both in and outside of the gym. To
further drive this home for participants, Ms. Burkhart, a dedicated Tough Mudder enthusiast and
amateur weight lifter, has designed ‘take-home’ workouts for participants so they can continue to
exercise on their own – no gym required.
For more information about the program or Heidi Burkhart please contact:
Caroline Andoscia // [email protected] // 212.475.2122 x 701
Kelly Rada // [email protected] // 212.475.2122 x702
About BizLivGiv
BizLivGiv is Heidi Burkhart’s 360° initiative which supports her professional, personal and philanthropic endeavors. A successful
real estate entrepreneur by 27, Ms. Burkhart was afforded not only the ability to enhance her own quality of life but also the
capacity to give back to people and communities in need. In integrating Business, Living and Giving, Ms. Burkhart strives to
demonstrate that a 360° approach is the key to a fulfilling life. BizLivGiv was founded to help and inspire others to find their
own path to a full life.