Senior Services Plus Offers Parkinson's Support at "Raise a Glove" Event

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus offers a Rock Steady Boxing program for individuals with Parkinson’s, and the community can come together to celebrate the boxers and learn more about local resources at an upcoming event.

From 4–6 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, Senior Services Plus will offer their “Raise a Glove” event. The evening starts with a health fair from 4–5 p.m. featuring informational booths from local organizations to help people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. From 5–6 p.m., a keynote speaker from OSF HealthCare will discuss speech therapy and Parkinson’s, followed by a recognition of the Rock Steady Boxing participants and a guest singer.

“We do this really amazing recognition event for all of the boxers in the program to celebrate their courage and their effort they give every day, and for their caregivers who walk alongside them to get recognized themselves for the support that they’re offering for everybody who’s battling this together,” explained Emily Jackson with SSP. “If you or a loved one is someone who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s, there is a community of support out there, and they are very welcoming. They’re there to offer any support you’re willing to take.”

Jackson explained that the Rock Steady Boxing program has about 30 participants who come to SSP’s Wellness Center for boxing classes twice a week. The goal is to delay the symptom progression of Parkinson’s with physical activity.

There are three levels to the classes depending on each participant’s symptoms. Individuals are assessed before they begin the program and at the six-month mark to ensure that each boxer is receiving “the right tools and supports” from the trainers.

Steph and Mac serve as the Rock Steady Boxing trainers. Jackson noted that they go above and beyond to support their boxers and families.

“We have two trainers, two coaches, who are certified to teach this through the affiliate program and really create not just a class, but a family, a support system,” she said. “They offer a caregiver support group. They offer a support group for those who have Parkinson’s disease and create a whole support system for people in this class.”

SSP asks community members to RSVP to the Raise a Glove event by March 15, 2026. To RSVP, contact Steph at 618-465-3298 ext. 120.

To learn more about the Rock Steady Boxing program and support for Parkinson’s offered through SSP, visit the official webpage. For more about the Raise a Glove event, check out the official Facebook event page.

Jackson emphasized that while Senior Services Plus works closely with older adults, they aren’t limited to seniors and are happy to collaborate with community members no matter what your age is. She encourages people to visit their official website for more information about their activities, services and upcoming events, including a weather preparedness event scheduled for March 27 and their annual gala on June 11.

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