New Naples gym creates inclusive space for children of all abilities
April 9, 2025 | In:
When Lisa Kolak saw the opportunity to give back to the community that had supported her family’s journey with autism, she seized it.
She opened a We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym franchise in Naples on Dec. 14 with business partner Ed Paquette, an entrepreneur and veteran in providing special needs services —culminating her 20-year journey in special needs care and dreams of helping families with disabilities.
“My son, who is now 26, has autism, and my granddaughter also has autism,” Kolak said. “It was my dream to open a We Rock the Spectrum because all I’ve ever wanted was to give back to the community as much as possible.”
The Naples-based gym — Southwest Florida’s second, following a location in Fort Myers — caters to children of all abilities, focusing on those with autism, sensory processing disorders and other special needs. The facility provides an inclusive space where children can engage in sensory-friendly activities that enhance their physical, emotional and social development while having fun.