Urban PowerHouse is on a mission to break down the barriers to strength training by making it more accessible for everyone, regardless of financial constraints, space, or resources.
Last February, we were fortunate enough to chat with Urban PowerHouse Co-Founder Laurie Maranian about this organization's history, mission, and importance. You can find the full article here.
Recently, we caught up with co-founder Joseph Stephen about the past year at Urban PowerHouse, how the mission is evolving, and what lies ahead. Read on to learn more and discover how you can help.
Urban PowerHouse: A Mission to Create Inclusive Spaces for Health and Wellness
Joseph Stephen and Laurie Maranian founded Urban PowerHouse in 2018 after noticing a gap in Boston’s urban neighborhoods for those interested in powerlifting, weightlifting, and overall strength training. Their vision was to create an accessible gym space for people who might not have the means to afford home gym equipment or commercial gym memberships, particularly in areas where access to fitness resources was limited.
For Joseph, a person of color, the mission was about building a community where people who looked like him could train together, fostering a sense of belonging. Laurie, a woman with a passion for strength sports, wanted to empower other women who might find lifting intimidating by sharing the confidence and strength she felt when working with a barbell.
Initially, the team trained in commercial gyms but quickly realized the space didn't meet their needs. This sparked the journey to find a space that would foster inclusivity and support for everyone, regardless of their background.
Urban PowerHouse serves neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Dorchester, and Mattapan, which have low to moderate-income populations. Its proximity makes it ideal for those without vehicles or with busy schedules who can't afford the cost or maintain the 45+ minute commute to other specialty training facilities. Membership and coaching are priced on a sliding scale based on income to remove financial barriers, and athletes can receive financial support. Additionally, the gym offers a student membership to help young people start strength training while staying focused on their education.
Reflecting on a Year of Growth and Empowerment at Urban PowerHouse
Over the past year, Urban PowerHouse has achieved some incredible milestones, further solidifying its commitment to the community and its mission to empower youth through strength training. Here’s a look back at some of the organization’s key accomplishments and exciting future plans.
Youth Employment Partnership with the City of Boston
One of the most exciting accomplishments was becoming a youth employment partner with the City of Boston. In the summer of 2024, Urban PowerHouse employed 10 local youth, ages 14-18, as well as one youth leader in their early 20s. For many of these young people, this was their first job, offering them valuable lessons in communication, punctuality, responsibility, and teamwork.
These youth also participated in community outreach, educating local businesses on the program and residents on the benefits of exercise for better health. With the success of this initiative, Urban PowerHouse has been selected to continue the program into the school year and is planning to apply to expand for next summer, aiming to employ 15-20 youth and additional youth leaders.
This program employed a beautiful blend of established athletes and newcomers to the strength training community. Joseph spoke of one participant who used this opportunity to get out of her comfort zone, meet new people, and incorporate fitness into her life as a beginner, highlighting the importance of a welcoming environment.
Expanding the Urban PowerHouse Community
The community response to Urban PowerHouse has been overwhelmingly positive. Originally focused on adults, the organization has seen its demographic diversify, with a strong blend of youth and young adults joining.
This shift has naturally led to the creation of an informal mentorship program, where older members share their experiences and support the younger generation, helping them stay motivated and focused on their goals.
Exciting New Initiatives and Partnerships
Urban PowerHouse is also excited about several new initiatives on the horizon. The organization recently received a grant from the Lenny Zakim Fund, which will allow them to hire a part-time coach to focus on programming and enhance their out-of-school program.
In addition, Urban PowerHouse is developing a partnership with Another Course to College (ACC) to offer health and physical activity programs to 10-15 students, helping them stay connected to education while focusing on wellness. The organization is also working to build partnerships with other like-minded organizations to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and strength training in improving overall health.
Key Lessons Learned and Embracing Flexibility
Urban PowerHouse’s leadership team has learned valuable lessons over the past year. The team has discovered the importance of flexibility, allowing the community to guide the organization’s direction while balancing fiscal responsibility.
The youth leaders are becoming more involved in shaping the organization, with one youth leader even taking on graphic design and social media responsibilities. This hands-on experience allows youth leaders to develop their skills while supporting the team.
While delegating tasks has been rewarding, it’s also presented challenges. Letting go of daily responsibilities and trusting the youth with smaller tasks has been a learning experience, but it’s been rewarding to see them take ownership of their roles.
This expansion has also encouraged Laurie and Joseph to take a step back and look at things like systems, making things more official, community demand, and showcasing proven results to potential funders—all the magic that happens behind the scenes to keep the wheels turning.
Looking Toward Expansion: New Space and Future Growth
The growing demand for Urban PowerHouse’s programs has led to a need for more space. The current facility is becoming too small, and the organization is actively working to find a new location that can accommodate its expanding membership. Urban PowerHouse has identified a potential 10,000-square-foot facility near its current location that would be more accessible to the community.
They are applying for a significant grant to help fund this move and are exploring donations and financial support to make the expansion a reality. The goal is to have space to accommodate 15-20 youth employees, 40 adult members, and additional programming as the organization continues to grow.
How You Can Help
Your support makes all the difference! Financial contributions help fuel future projects and expansion, and every donation directly impacts our mission. Donate here to be part of the change.
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Stay connected by following Urban PowerHouse on Instagram for the latest updates. If you're in the Boston area and want to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you—reach out today!
