Special Olympics Virginia Inc

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND SPORTS TRAINING AND ATHLETIC COMPETITION IN A VARIETY OF OLYMPIC-TYPE SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, GIVING THEM CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP PHYSICAL FITNESS, DEMONSTRATE COURAGE, EXPERIENCE JOY AND PARTICIPATE IN A SHARING OF GIFTS, SKILLS, AND FRIENDSHIP WITH THEIR FAMILIES, OTHER SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES AND THE COMMUNITY.

AREA PROGRAMS: SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA HAS SUB-DIVIDED THE STATE INTO 32 GEOGRAPHIC AREA PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AS POSSIBLE. THESE PROGRAMS GENERALLY CONTAIN SEVERAL CITIES AND COUNTIES. THE VOLUNTEERS IN THESE AREAS RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR AREA, DECIDE WHAT ACTIVITIES TO OFFER IN THEIR AREA, AND GENERALLY ARE THE GRASSROOTS PROVIDER OF SOVA SERVICES. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ATHLETES TO DISPLAY THEIR CAPABILITIES AND INSPIRE PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND ELSEWHERE TO OPEN THEIR HEARTS TO A WIDER WORLD OF HUMAN TALENTS AND POTENTIAL. IN ADDITION, REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEADS TO BETTER HEALTH, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

ALL OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES

SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS (UCS) PROGRAM USE SPORTS TO DEVELOP SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHERE YOUTH ARE AGENTS OF CHANGE, FOSTERING RESPECT, DIGNITY AND ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS VIRGINIA, THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE AND THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OUR GOAL IS TO INSPIRE THE FIRST UNIFIED GENERATION. UCS IS AIMED AT PROMOTING SOCIAL INCLUSION THROUGH INTENTIONALLY PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED ACTIVITIES AFFECTING SYSTEMS-WIDE CHANGE. WITH SPORTS AS THE FOUNDATION, THE THREE COMPONENT MODEL - INCLUSIVE SPORTS, INCLUSIVE YOUTH LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHOLE SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT - OFFERS A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF EFFECTIVE ACTIVITIES THAT EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE WITH TOOLS AND TRAINING TO CREATE SPORTS, CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL CLIMATES OF ACCEPTANCE. THESE ARE SCHOOL CLIMATES WHERE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES FEEL WELCOME AND ARE ROUTINELY INCLUDED IN, AND FEEL A PART OF, ALL ACTIVITIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND FUNCTIONS. IN VIRGINIA, WE HAVE 555 ENGAGED SCHOOLS IN 59 JURISDICTIONS, AND 17,500 YOUTH INVOLVED IN UNIFIED SPORTS PROGRAMMING.

SUMMER GAMES: OUR LARGEST STATEWIDE COMPETITION IS NOTHING SHORT OF LEGENDARY THANKS TO THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF 1,500 LOCAL VOLUNTEERS WHO BRAVED THE SUMMER HEAT TO ASSIST 1,004 SPECIAL OLYMPICS VIRGINIA ATHLETES AND UNIFIED PARTNERS IN RICHMOND, VA IN JUNE 2023. ATHLETES CAME FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE TO COMPETE IN SWIMMING, SOFTBALL, TRACK & FIELD, BOWLING, AND TENNIS. THIS EVENT ALSO FEATURES OUR ANNUAL HEALTHY ATHLETES EXPO, WHERE ATHLETES CAN RECEIVE FREE VISION, HEARING, DENTAL, AND FITNESS SCREENINGS AND TREATMENT.