“Mighty” Mike Simmel Founder BOUNCE Camp Director, Speaker, Performer, Advocate

As Featured On the 2019

Stigma Program of the Year “Considered by Many, The Most Successful ® Special Needs Basketball Program In the Country” Basketball Programs Camps, Events, and Programs in Over 24 States “ Limits Will Not De ne Me, My Will De nes My Limits ”. . . Mike Simmel Bounce Out the Stigma® is a 501(c)(3) New Jersey corporation founded in 2005 by former professional basketball player Mike Simmel and his father, Bill. A “grassroots” organization, it has become a nationally recognized and acclaimed youth basketball program with a central mission to inspire, educate and empower young people with special needs. The community it looks to serve is children and young adults who su er from neurological and functional disorders, such as Autism, Epilepsy, ADD, ADHD, Aspergers, and Downs Syndrome. Our Programs Work with Special Needs and Challenged Youth to Enjoy Basketball & Self-Empower The Bounce Out the Stigma Project, through its numerous basketball and speaking events, creates opportunities for those dealing with these disorders. At the same time, tolerance and awareness becomes a unique message for all others. The Program promotes healthy living and empowers its participants to shed labels that far too often are attached to them via the perception of others. “Your Will Denes Your Limits” is stressed at all events. At Bounce Out the Stigma, no child is ever made to feel di erent. With its specialized and unique basketball curriculum, every event is constructed to give those with developmental issues a chance to “simply be a kid without a label”. They play among their peers for enjoyment. A day or week of basketball fun is the agenda to enhance motor skill development, self-condence, and internal fulllment with both child and parent. The Program creates opportunities for children and young adults with special needs, while also raising awareness about stigmas, bullying, and acceptance to all people and ages. The Project’s goal is to see every man; woman and child with a special need lead a successful and empowered life with a strong sense of self-worth. Stigma is NOT a Physical Limitation, Nor an Illness. It is a ‘LABEL’ Applied By OTHERS. Those “labels” create limitations, peer presssure, isolation, bullying, and fear. Our Mission - Bounce Out the Stigma. Basketball Camps & Clinics, School Assembly Programs, Speaking Engagements, Group & Corporate Events

bounce out the stigma.org  855.997.3600  info@bounce out the stigma.org © 2019 Copyright All Rights Reserved BOUNCEOuttheSTIGMA.org About “Mighty” Mike Simmel Mike Simmel knows rst hand that sometimes life is not easy. Being in special education gym class in grammar school (he couldn’t hop & skip) provided him an incentive to never quit. All that changed the day his father gave him a basketball. Mike Simmel was diagnosed with epilepsy at the the age of two. Emotional and physical hardships were a daily occurrence in his life, until the age of 7 when his father gave him a basketball to work on his coordination and motor skills. That basketball became his ticket to peer acceptance and self-conﬁdence until the age of 16 when he experienced an epileptic seizure at a elite basketball camp. Camp adminstrators, fearful of liability issues and his health issues sought to send Mike home and end his participation. Undeterred and outraged, Mike’s parents strongly objected and he was able to remain at the camp. However, this incident – and the feelings of isolation that came with it – would change Simmel forever. Going forward, he knew that one day, he was going to give back to others, in particular young Finding a Stage for Advocacy people who lived lives feeling isolated, bullied, and peer pressure just as he Providing a Voice for did that day - the feeling of being stigmatized. Those toYoung to be Heard A 3-year starter and team captain at powerhouse Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey NJ , then becoming a 2-year starter and team captain at SUNY Purchase College Simmel followed his dream even to playing professional basketball. In 2005, remembering his childhood experiences and his promise, Bounce Out the Stigma was founded with one focus kids and stigmas.. A 13-year Veteran and featured performer with the World Famous touring basketball team, the Harlem Wizards, Mike fullled his dream of playing professional basketball. Today Mike Simmel’s focus and mission is working with youth, young adults, schools, and organizations. Through his foundation, he seeks to empower youth and remove stigmas and labels associated with childhood neurological issues. Going to a school, speaking with groups, running clinics and camps, Mike is devoted full time to one goal, leaving his mark on what a kid can accomplish. Recent Awards and Accolades Bob Hurley, Sr. Hall of Fame Basketball Coach 2019 Named Under Armour and Jr. NBA National Program of the Year “Even (at a young age) Simmel’s love of the game and determination to carve out a place in basketball was 2018 Awarded by the New York Knicks at Halftime The Prestigous Sweet Water Clifton Award evident. Bounce Out the Stigma camps are utterly life changing. I gured out that there’s nothing dierent 2018 Awarded by the Philadelphia 76ers about these kids. They love basketball in their own way. at center court - The Game Changer Award. We teach them and have fun with it. Mike has taught me 2018 Citation from the City of Philadelphia Citing a valuable lesson about life.” Bounce Out the Stigma’s Partnership with the NBA 76ers John Starks NBA All-Star Guard and NY Knicks Legend 2017 Bergen County and State of New Jersey "It takes a special individual to be able to give up their Salute to Champions Special Commendation

time and give back to children. You watch these kids 2016 US Jr. Chamber of Commerces Names come out and hug him, it's amazing. Amazing…I'm Bounce Out the Stigma’s Special Needs Camp proud of Mike and the road he's traveled to get to this the Best Skill Development Program in US point." 2014 Governor of Kentucky Brett Brown Appoints Mike Simmel a Kentucky Colonel, Head Coach of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers the Highest Honor Bestowed in the State “Mike Simmel and his Program do an outstanding job. 2013 Mike Simmel Honored by I and the 76ers family all appreciate his tireless eorts in Children’s Hospital of Monte ore making the world a better place. Having worked with 2009 Mike Simmel Honored and Named Mike these past 2 years I have learned an entirely new side Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award of the game of basketball. Keep up your great work.” by the US Junior Chamber of Commerce 2009 Mike Simmel Awarded and Named the 2009 Connecticut Outstanding Young American Mike Simmel Co-Author of the Book 2009 State of NJ The Alvin Slootsky Lifestyle Award “Mighty Mike Bounces Back” 2007 Presented the Maxwell J. Schleifer Award by A Boy, a Basketball, and Epilepsy Exceptional Parent Magazine & the New York Yankees, in Yankee Stadium