Dear Community Members:

February is about Love not only showing our love for our partners, children, parents, friends and other loved ones, but also for the world.  From my perspective living on this planet is extremely challenging. No matter who we are we have so much to learn.   In order to truly change the larger world we must make changes in ourselves and focus on making the communities in which we live, better.  We must be open to others, and truly listen to what they are saying.  We must find it within ourselves to appreciate and love others!

All You Need is Love by Avicii

I'm going to take a proud father moment  and recognize my daughter Sarah who many of you know is a musician/actor/dancer and goes by the name  F.A.W.N.   Her latest song is called Don't Give Up, which I think is very appropriate for out times!

Don't Give Up! by F.A.W.N.

We've remained very busy, bringing joy and health-social, physical and emotional-to many.  As one of our board members, Sam Oberman, recently said to me about a collaborative program  with CV Alzheimer's, "I saw smiles on people's faces and enthusiasm in what they were doing.  To me that is success."  I see and feel this all of the time with the athletes and their family members who we are working with.  It's all about hope, access and inclusion and we are blessed to be part of this world!

Please check out our highlights below and check out our new programs-golf, skating, cheerleading, acting and more!  Sign up today.

Highlights from the past two weeks

Desert Arc Sports in Yucca Valley and Palm Desert

Monday Archery with Robin Hood in Indio 

After School Monday Sports with CVUSD

Tuesday Adaptive Skating with the Berger Foundation Iceplex

(Next Adaptive Skating Lessons to be held in March, see below, with a special open skate on April 28 and a special offer on May Lessons.)

Wednesday Morning Sports (thanks to our friend Paralympian Amy Burton for teaching us badminton) and Tennis/Pickleball (Special Olympics/ACEing Autism/Rancho Las Palmas)

Thursday after school Riverside Parks and Recreation youth adaptive sports.  (We've also started collaborating with Braille Institute-Riverside, anybody can join, in offering on-line yoga stretching and meditation.)  (Our friends Rozzy and Gaby moved to New Mexico but we were really happy to give them a fun party to send them off.)

Riverside Afterschool Program

Special Events-Special Olympics Day, CV Alzheimer's and Menifee Adaptive Sports Fair.  

We held our inaugural Special Olympics Day and participated in the first ever City of Menifee Adaptive Sports Fair with many of our friends!

Special Olympics Day

We are hiring a part-time Program Assistant/Coach.  If you know of anybody that might be interested please send them my way, mike@socaladaptivesports.org, and I'll forward a full job description.

We are growing our Inland Regional Center program and continue to offer 1:1 and small group coaching and workouts.  If you'd like to take part please have SoCal Adaptive Sports assigned by your  Regional Center Community Services Coordinator (CSC).   Our Vendor number is PJ5601.  We are open to many different modalities for bringing adaptive sports and physical, social, and emotional health to everyBODY!

January was a great month for us in terms of funding.  We continue to be supported by many but I want to thank institutional funders, Big Horn Cares, Hanger Foundation, Wal*Mart and Grace Spearman.  

As the local coordinator for Special Olympics, we really want to build this program. You can sign up now to be a Special Olympics athlete or volunteer in the Coachella Valley!  

Please register for an account to always receive our newsletter and feel free to forward this newsletter to others.  

Welcome our newest board member!

 Jamie Barton

Jamie  is a former corporate executive in the entertainment industry. She is also the former Owner/Chief Instructor of FEM DEFEND PERSONAL SAFETY TRAINING FOR WOMEN & GIRLS, a passion project which began in the mid 80’s, where she instructed private and group classes. Jamie held valuable “Lunch & Learns”, and instructed for the YWCA, the Girl Scouts, and for the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD). She has helped agencies and non-profits such as the L.A. Food Bank, the Los Angeles Downtown Women’s Shelter, and the Renal Support Network (RSN). Jamie served as a member of the Management Board for the Strong Women Alliance (SWA), and was a Board Member and Vocational Speaker Chair for the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). Jamie holds a graduate certificate from the Burbank Police Department’s ‘COMMUNITY ACADEMY’. Fun Fact: was a contestant on WHEEL OF FORTUNE and THE PRICE IS RIGHT.

February 2024 and beyond activities. Sign up today!

Yucca Valley Adaptive Sports-Monday Mornings.  Registration is on a monthly basis.

Wednesday Adaptive and Wheelchair Tennis and Pickleball Lessons 

Thursday Riverside After School Multi-sports and Stretching February

Please join us for yoga and meditation every Thursday!  On-Line or In Person (Riverside Braille Institute)

Burbank Adaptive Sports Expo

Jack Rabbit Trail 

Mission Creek - Adaptive Hike

March Adaptive skating lessons

Acting lessons

Archery lesson and scavenger hunt 

Ontario Clippers! 

March 10, 2024

Warfighters Overnight at Pathfinder Ranch in Mountain Center, CA

White water preserve - Adaptive Hike 

Let's Go Sailing 

Adaptive Open skate

Pacific Crest Trail - Adaptive Hike

All-Comers Camp Wheelchair Tennis Indian Wells - November 8-10th, 2024

EVENTS FROM OUR FRIENDS

We believe in the power of collaboration in leveling the playing field and truly bringing about societal inclusion.  That's why we're listing these events and also websites of our friends who are doing phenomenal work!  Please visit below and click on the links  to find out more

Empower Change

Beginning on February 21, 2024. This initiative is designed to provide a platform for self-advocates to share their inspiring stories across various domains, including healthcare, education, employment, and more.

Each Zoom session will focus on diverse topics to enhance your skills in self-presentation, encompassing aspects such as effective public speaking and empowerment within your community.

To ensure an inclusive experience, American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided during all sessions. Additionally, all materials utilized will be made accessible to accommodate diverse needs.

Fundraising Brunch - Legacy Bridges Foundation

(SoCal Adaptive Sports is  one of the honorees)

Check out these calendars/websites for other events!

Check out these websites for many more activities and opportunities as we level the playing field.