{"id":10466,"date":"2014-08-13T05:00:35","date_gmt":"2014-08-13T12:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=10466"},"modified":"2020-12-24T02:43:33","modified_gmt":"2020-12-24T10:43:33","slug":"special-olympics-sb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/special-olympics-sb\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Olympics SB"},"content":{"rendered":"

Competition can be empowering. It doesn\u2019t matter whether the compet\"specialition takes place on a field, court or office. Knowing that you will go head-to-head with a worthy competitor encourages you to set goals, hone your skills, and believe that you are capable of emerging from the competition as a victor. You alone can forge the path to victory.<\/p>\n

Michelle Duke, Manager of Special Events and Volunteers at Special Olympics Santa Barbara, has seen the empowerment of competition at work in the athletes that she serves. From weekly practices to grueling four hour tournaments, Special Olympics athletes first challenge themselves before challenging their opponents. Their personal victories give them the confidence needed to tackle larger challenges in life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an athlete who was incredibly shy. He really didn\u2019t have any friends,\u201d says Duke. \u201cHe got into our program and soon became a leader to other athletes. He took part in Global Youth Activation Summit<\/a> where he was able to travel to Korea for the World Games. He served as an ambassador for Special Olympics. He really never would have been able to do it without the confidence that he gained with Special Olympics.\u201d The experience empowered him with the skills needed to step out in other areas and live his life to the fullest. \u201cParticipation in the programs changes athletes\u2019 outlook, social skills, and impacts their lives,\u201d Duke says.<\/p>\n

Through Special Olympics, athletes also gain a support system that provides encouragement and camaraderie. Without such programing, many adults living with developmental \"specialdisabilities can lead solitary lives; it can be challenging to relate to others. \u201cBeing in Special Olympics helps [athletes] connect with people of their same background, people who understand them,\u201d says Duke.\u00a0 The social aspect of the games strengthens self-esteem, builds character, and provides athletes with an outlet that they may not have otherwise. Each component is a tool that they can use throughout their lives on and off of the court.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Special Olympics places emphasis on its school games, small competitions for students in special education classes that take place during the school day. \u201cThrough our headquarters, we\u2019re really trying to engage younger athletes and get them into our programs earlier to show them the benefits that Special Olympics provides at an earlier age. That way, they can develop that determination, friendships, social skills, and sports skills earlier and reap the lifetime benefits later on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The school games began with track and field. A contribution from Yardi<\/a> recently spearheaded the first soccer games in fall 2013. The event was held at Girsh Park and attended by 160 special education students. The program was a huge success with an even greater expected turnout for this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese events are so important in our community and this population,\u201d begins Duke. \u201cThey\u2019re much underserved. A lot of our athletes\"special are low income and live in group housing and of course we offer these programs at no cost to our athletes. They don\u2019t pay to participate or buy their equipment. Funding and volunteer hours come from our local community so it\u2019s incredibly important for our community to invest in these athletes and in their futures.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are various ways that you can show your support. Adults with medical experience can volunteer<\/a> during local tournaments or as medical technicians through the Healthy Athletes<\/a> programs. Others can volunteer to assist players, help facilitate games, or simply cheer teams to victory. Monetary donations go towards equipment, transportation, hosting Special Olympic events, and program development throughout the Santa Barbara area. Each effort ensures the empowerment and edification of Special Olympics athletes throughout the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Competition can be empowering. It doesn\u2019t matter whether the competition takes place on a field, court or office. Knowing that you will go head-to-head with a worthy competitor encourages you to set goals, hone your skills, and believe that you are capable of emerging from the competition as a victor. You alone can forge the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":440,"featured_media":10467,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_s2mail":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1717,5,3354],"tags":[98],"class_list":["post-10466","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-giving","category-people","category-team-yardi","tag-yardi-corporate-philanthropy"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYardi Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Competition can be empowering. 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