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(Norristown, PA, October 27, 2022) Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) and YMCA of Greater Erie announced a partnership aimed at increasing fitness and training opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities, which went into effect as of September 30th, 2022. Both organizations share a similar mission that prioritizes working to improve the quality of life and well-being for the community.
The partnership will help alleviate the Special Olympics struggle to find suitable locations to train athletes and host local competitions. Athletes in the Special Olympic Programs will have access to the Y facilities where they can train for competitive meets, improve fitness levels and build conditioning skills needed to meet the physical challenges of sports training. Athletes can also train for Olympic-type sports year round as opposed to their current 8-week sessions.
Developing healthy habits is another big challenge facing these athletes and their families. Many have limited access to healthcare so health issues often go untreated. In order to help combat these issues, the YMCA of Greater Erie will be offering a Special Olympics-only rate on memberships for athletes and their families. With the support from the Y, athletes will have regular access to health and wellness programs, group exercise and sports classes as well as open gym and swim time.
“We are thrilled to partner with an organization whose mission aligns so well with our own,” says Deanna Renaud, SOPA Regional Executive Director, Northwest Region. “One of Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s goals is to ensure that all of our athletes are given the resources they need to thrive within and outside of their sport. This new partnership with the YMCA of Greater Erie will not only allow our athletes to grow their sport-specific skills, but also become educated on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle as well as be provided a space to connect with their community.”
While it is clear how the SOPA athletes will benefit from this partnership, it is important to note that this positive impact will also be felt by the entire community in which the Y serves. In addition to the training and fitness components, SOPA-sponsored community activities and events will help drive the importance of developing youth across generations and diverse populations. The Y connects people from all backgrounds who want to live healthy and feel connected to something bigger than themselves. The relationship between Special Olympics and the Y opens up volunteer opportunities for both organizations and demonstrates the impact that partnerships like this can have on strengthening the community.
“YMCA’s across Pennsylvania are excited to partner with Special Olympics as we share a common mission to develop vibrant and healthy communities that are inclusive of all people,” said Gerry Vandemerwe, CEO, YMCA of Greater Erie. “We look forward to providing opportunities for every individual to be healthy.”
The YMCA of Greater Erie joins more than 30 other YMCA facilities in Pennsylvania who have partnered with SOPA to increase opportunities for athletes to develop lifelong fitness goals and reach their full potential. For more information about the partnership and to find local -opportunities to get involved with SOPA and the local YMCAs, visit please visit www.specialolympicspa.org.
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About Special Olympics PA
Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round training and competition in 21 Olympic-type sports to nearly 13,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities or closely related developmental disabilities. For more information about how you can help “Reveal the Champion Inside” thousands of Special Olympics athletes, visit www.specialolympicspa.org.
About YMCA of Greater Erie
The YMCA of Greater Erie is a leading nonprofit community resource providing services and programs in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Our cause is to strengthen community. We serve a diverse population of men, women, and children with an emphasis on families.
Contact:
Special Olympics Pennsylvania
Deanna Renaud
724-375-7515 Ext. 310
YMCA of Greater Erie
Tammy Roche
814-566-9597