Special Olympics Florida – Collier County

Mission Statement

The mission of Special Olympics Florida is to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities who wish to participate, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Organizational Overview

Special Olympics Florida – Collier County helps more than 2,400 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs. Specific programs include: Young Athletes – is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities along with their siblings and peers, designed to introduce them into the world of sport. This school-and community-based program helps children improve fundamental physical, cognitive and social skills consistent with Special Olympics Florida sports.   Unified Champion Schools – is an inclusive education-based project in Collier County Public Middle and High Schools that uses sports and education programs to activate young people to develop school communities where all youth are agents of change – fostering respect, dignity and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.   Community Athletes (ages 8+) – offers a wide range of 12 sports trainings, competitions, health screenings, awareness events, and opportunities for families, community members, local leaders, businesses, law enforcement, and others to band together to change attitudes and support our athletes. Healthy Athletes – improves Special Olympics athletes’ health, fitness, and ability to train and compete in Special Olympics, through the provision of free health exams and referrals. Disciplines include: Special Smiles, Opening Eyes, Healthy Hearing, FUNfitness, Health Promotion, Fit Feet, Strong Minds and MedFest.  Our programs open a gateway for athletes to achieve empowerment and acceptance in our community. We work diligently with educators and coaches to implement programs that are inclusive, sensitive to behavioral, emotional and communicative needs, and inspire leadership within the population to embrace an inclusive culture. For the majority of our athletes, Special Olympics is not just a program to learn how to run a race or throw a ball. We are a movement, creating a platform for acceptance and excellence for all. Sports may be our engine, but Special Olympics is so much more. We envision a world where everyone belongs, where bravery triumphs, ability emerges, skills grow, laughter invites, the human spirit is unleashed, and the world is changed; one volunteer, one fan, one doctor, one teacher, one athlete at a time.