Annual Report 2019
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Mockup 1 ANNUAL REPORT 2019 soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 1 2019-10-29 2:29 PM motionball is a national non-profit that empowers young Canadians to be leaders in their communities, raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics through integrated social and sporting events. To get involved, visit www.motionball.com Thank you to our National Sponsors soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 2 2019-10-29 2:29 PM ONE MAN. ONE GROUNDBREAKING VISION. MILLIONS OF LIVES CHANGED. It was the early 1960s when Dr. Frank Hayden, a sports scientist and Faculty Member at the University of Toronto, began a study of children with intellectual disabilities. Guided by vision, belief, focus and determination, Dr. Hayden proved that, given the right opportunities, people with an intellectual disability could develop the fundamental skills to participate in sport and become physically fit. To honour Dr. Hayden’s inspiring legacy and to to Special Olympics and their communities, continue his pioneering and pivotal research, his athletes, families and supporters. It also propels “Sport is a catalyst that alma mater, the University of Western Ontario, the Special Olympics movement worldwide to creates a more inclusive established the Dr. Frank J. Hayden Chair in empower people with an intellectual disability to Sport and Social Impact within Western’s Faculty discover their ability within sport and competition, world for all.” of Health Sciences. The $3 million Hayden Chair and to apply their capabilities through their -Dr. Frank J. Hayden endowment advances Western’s Sport and schools, communities and workplaces. Social Impact Research Group, an integrated team of scholars, graduate students, and partner total athletes His ground-breaking research and development organizations who study the social impact 26,196 participating in 2019 of a national sports program for people with of sport and physical activity on people with of athletes under the age of 21 an intellectual disability captured the attention intellectual and developmental disabilities. 49% of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and the Kennedy Foundation. Thus, Special Olympics was born. Western’s Sport and Social Impact Research Group transfers research and knowledge SPORT AND SOCIAL IMPACT Front cover photograph courtesy of Joren Romaniuk Photography: www.jorenrphotography.com soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 3 2019-10-29 2:29 PM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mike Van Hees Jim Yaeck Rima Ramchandani Stephen Meade Taje Mobahir Aly Champsi Chair Past Chair, Ex-officio Vice-Chair Audit Committee Governance Chair Corporate Secretary Director, Global Banking Vice President, Sales, AMJ Partner, Torys LLP Chair Senior Vice-President, Managing Director, and Markets, Scotiabank Campbell – Toronto East Partner, BDO Canada LLP Operations, DW Healthcare Partners CI Investments Inc. DIRECTORS Erin Gordon John Bryden Honourable Ret. Commissioner Graham White Vice President, Senior Director, Integrated Dave Levac Chris Lewis Chief Information Officer, Human Resources – Health Management Hon. Dave Levac, MPP President, Lighthouse Ormston List Frawley LLP Lindt & Sprungli Sobeys Inc. Brant, Former Speaker of Leadership Services Inc. the Legislative Assembly of Ontario Tess Trojan Warren Somers Richard Onley Athlete Representative President, CTI Working Principal, BOARD OF Environments Inc. The Osborne Group DIRECTORS soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 4 2019-10-29 2:29 PM DEVELOPING STUDENT AND mentors, team captains, community athlete representatives, and members of the Athlete COMMUNITY LEADERS Leadership Council. Most importantly, athletes have an active voice in shaping the movement, Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) provide and have fun while sharing their personal athletes with skills and tools to become active Special Olympics story. leaders in their communities and within the Special Olympics movement. Workshops such as After completing Athlete Governance & Social Media, Healthy Lifestyles, Leader training, Ajax ALPs catchphrase for 2020 is MORE. More and Speaker Training empower athletes with athlete Justin Williams courses over an expanded network. More opportunities and experiences beyond sport represented his school ways for athletes to influence their teams and training and competition. and community on the community. Connecting with more high schools Toronto Football Club to give younger athletes the tools required to Toronto athlete, Callum (TFC) unified team. It was grow within the movement. More opportunities Denault, displayed an incredible opportunity for athletes to attend events across the his leadership and for Justin to compete in province and execute their new skills with even presentation skills Orlando, Florida against more support. while interviewing teams from across North WWE Superstar, Becky America, capping it off REGISTRATION BY THE NUMBERS Lynch. Callum asked with a match against Becky about wrestling, Community Athletes Montreal back in Toronto. 107 her feelings on being in the WWE, and Community Mentors ALPs workshops are held regularly in 63 challenged her for her communities throughout Ontario. Athlete High School Athletes championship belt! Callum also paddled with participants often attend with a mentor: parent, 24 other WWE Superstars during the local canoeing coach, sibling, or support worker. Mentors assist High School Mentors day and proudly shared what being a Special 25 the athletes with their workshop training and Olympics athlete means to him. provide ongoing support and encouragement 19 Youth Summit Athletes as the athletes put their skills to work and as they ALPs have given many young athletes the explore the many new opportunities now open confidence, knowledge, and ability to become to them. public speakers, athlete health advocates, peer ATHLETE LEADERSHIP soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 5 2019-10-29 2:29 PM The Ontario Hockey League has been a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Special Olympics for over 20 years. Their commitment and dedication truly makes a difference in the lives of individuals with an intellectual disability. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many more years to come. soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 6 2019-10-29 2:29 PM WE ALL SMILE IN THE SAME goal. After many discussions, REC-FEST was born. The vision was to celebrate diversity in LANGUAGE the community by hosting the ultimate social gathering, with a strong emphasis on sports SMILE is a faith-based organization providing a and physical activity for people of all abilities. range of support services, programs, and events Athletic games and activities at this event for children and youth with disabilities and their include basketball, soccer, curling, floor hockey, families. During a conversation at the 2014 mini putt, a bouncy castle obstacle course, a fun SMILE Gala, members of SMILE and Special photobooth, and more. Olympics Ontario recognized they shared a common goal: to motivate, stimulate, and 200 people attended the first REC-FEST in 2014. activate individuals with an intellectual disability, In 2019 attendance more than tripled to 700, and to create awareness among all Canadians of plus 50 volunteers. Attendees included Toronto the importance and value of an inclusive society. Argonauts players, Mississauga Fire Fighters, Mississauga Sports Council, Mississauga Power The two organizations began brainstorming Basketball, the Mississauga Hall of Fame, ideas and options to advance their shared “There is no question that Canada is a country with an increasingly diverse population. Communities are being challenged as never before to respond to a complex range of needs, while building resources and tools that are welcoming and inclusive. It has been a great honour and pleasure to partner with Special Olympics in raising awareness about the challenges and strength Peel Police, SMILE members, and Special of diversity, and the critical need for mutual respect and understanding. This Olympics athletes, coaches, family, and friends. It partnership enables both our organizations to foster compassion, connection, is true evidence of inclusion from all walks of the and belonging. We bring people together, break down barriers, dispel myths, community. create opportunities, and change attitudes.” -Mazlina Khan, Program Coordinator SMILE SMILE REC-FEST soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 7 2019-10-29 2:29 PM Special thanks to our partners for their support in bringing the 2019 Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games to life: HOSTED BY: ™ “Special Olympics Ontario is the gold standard for what a charity should be, and it's because of the amazing people who lead the way. I cannot thank you enough for all that you do.” - Coach Jaimen Allison, Woodstock, Ontario soo_annualreport2019_fixed.indd 8 2019-10-29 2:29 PM THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF OUR LIVES Toronto was proud host to the inaugural Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games, from May 14-17, 2019. This international event focused both on sport competition and ancillary legacy programs for youth leaders, educators, sport developers, and partners from around the globe. The Invitational Youth Games (IYG) were created with a vision of sharing the successes of Ontario’s School Championships program. Launched in 2011, the School Championships program provides opportunities for high school athletes with an intellectual disability to compete on a team with like-ability school peers, compete against other schools in their communities, and to qualify for provincial competition. “We experienced an “Olympic Dream!” Special thank you to Special