Special Olympics North Dakota
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : n*****n@s***************d.o*g
Mission Statement
Organization: SOND is a 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the state of North Dakota to enable children and adults with intellectual disabilities to become a more accepted and integral part of the communities in which they reside. The programs offered by SOND increase inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into the community by breaking down barriers that have historically kept these people separate. The general objectives of this program are: To create an environment in which persons with intellectual disabilities will be prepared to participate in the community at large through activities that will (1) better enable them to be independent, productive members of society; (2) assist them in improving their overall health and safety through healthy athlete initiatives and volunteer training/education; (3) eliminate barriers to support and other assistance through community education; (4) enhance individual, family and citizen participation and involvement.
About This Cause
Special Olympics Mission Statement: “To provide 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 friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.” Special Olympics Program Description: Special Olympics North Dakota (SOND) serves more than 1,500 adults and children through a network of thousands of volunteers. The program is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, and to be recognized as productive and respected members of society. Eligible participants must be at least eight years of age and identified by an agency or professional organization as having intellectual disabilities. Programs across the state provide training and opportunities are held at the local, district, state, national, and world levels. Participants train for 8-10 weeks within the previous four months of a specific sports program. SOND offers training and participation opportunities in 15 different programs: alpine skiing, aquatics, basketball, bocce ball, bowling, cross country skiing, flag football, figure skating, gymnastics, power lifting, snow shoeing, soccer, speed skating, and track & field. To provide the safest environment possible for the people served, volunteers for SOND go through a training and certification process guided by Special Olympics International. Special Olympics North Dakota offers Healthy Athlete® Initiatives at state events. Opening Eyes ® Initiative, vision screenings, Strong Minds which provides education and training dealing with anxiety and other emotions, or Healthy Smiles®, dental screenings and education have been offered at the State Summer Games. The Unified Sports® program offers people without intellectual disabilities an opportunity to interact together and to participate on the same team with those who have intellectual disabilities. Unified Sports offered in North Dakota include: bocce, soccer, flag football, and volleyball. A huge initiative with Special Olympics is the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) – to educate, motivate and activate students without disabilities into volunteerism and community service as well as to provide more programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Schools in North Dakota provide volunteers that run different events at the tournament or provide volunteers to specific areas.