Dear Fit 4 The Cause Family,

With growth comes evolution.

My recent relocation to North Carolina prevents me from continuing in my role as Executive Director. Therefore, Fit 4 the Cause Board of Directors and I worked over many months on a succession plan for our organization which has grown considerably since its founding in 2014.

Thankfully, an ideal solution presented itself from within our own ranks.

During her tenure as a member of Fit 4 the Cause’s Board of Directors, Gina Meyer, DPT, founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called ARC, which stands for “Active, Resolute, Connected.” ARC is dedicated to improving health equity and empowering women through the mental and physical benefits of movement.

After a due diligence process lasting many months, and seeing the synergy between Fit 4 the Cause and ARC’s missions, Fit’s Board of Directors voted late last year to approve ARC’s absorption of Fit 4 the Cause’s programming assets.

During this process, the number one concern for all parties was the continuation of Fit 4 the Cause’s services for those who need expert fitness classes most. ARC has agreed through a Memorandum of Understanding to continue serving some 1,500 unique individuals in our senior and special needs communities through its newly-created Fit 4 The Cause Division.

As a result, Fit 4 the Cause is being dissolved as a 501(c)(3) organization but will continue these programs under ARC’s non-profit banner. I have joined ARC’s national board of directors, volunteering my time as ongoing program coordinator.

Both ARC and Fit 4 the Cause have spent recent years showcasing creative, forward-looking, and bold community-led solutions for achieving health equity and engaging the hardest to reach community members. This merger between Fit 4 The Cause and ARC will leverage their combined strengths, giving ARC and its new Fit 4 the Cause Division the opportunity to bring programming for people with special needs, older adults, children, cancer survivors, and those experiencing poverty across the nation through a virtual platform and network of passionate fitness providers.

Fit 4 the Cause would not be in this position to evolve without the generous and continuous support of donors like you. Our board and I are deeply grateful for your gifts over these past 10 years.

Please know that all donations to ARC specifically earmarked for its Fit 4 the Cause Division will continue covering costs associated with our most popular programs including:

• Daily Senior Functional Fitness programs at Agoura Fitness (Strength/Yoga/Zumba Gold);
• Maturity (Senior Fitness) weekly programs at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and other monthly health education services;
• Weekly fitness classes for our young adults with special needs; and
• Weekly classes for seniors at independent living and assisted living facilities.

It has been an honor and a privilege to have founded and led Fit 4 the Cause over the last 10 years, and I look forward to continuing to be of service in my new role for ARC.

Again, I offer my humblest and sincerest thanks to you and to all our donors and volunteers without whom we could not have achieved the level of success we did in serving the health and fitness needs of our community. I hope – and ask – that you continue to support us as we move forward with ARC to expand our reach and have an even greater impact than we ever thought possible.

In gratitude,

Cindy Rakowitz
Founder and Executive Director, Fit 4 the Cause (2014-2024)
Program Coordinator and Member, Board of Directors, ARC (2024-present)