DHS Commissioner and Deputy visit the Sports Complex benefitting thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities
"Special Olympics New Jersey offers a remarkable array of competitions for athletes of all ages, programs that will help develop skills and an understanding of sport that they can carry beyond Special Olympics, into their schools and communities as part of inclusive play,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez. "The value of personal achievement and the pride of accomplishment extends well beyond the games, providing positive experiences for adults and children who build upon these experiences in their daily lives.”
Athletes are offered free participation to all sports training and competition held at the Sports Complex. This includes a Youth Athlete Program, for children as young as two and half years - to seven years of age, where children prepare to join as an athlete at age eight. In addition to activities at the complex, there are programs offered on the local, county, sectional and state levels. More than 23,000 children and adults participate statewide.
“Offering programs in both the Sports Complex as well as in local schools and communities throughout New Jersey is an enormous benefit to families,” said Deputy Commissioner Dawn Apgar, who oversees state services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Many families have expressed that Special Olympics provides the encouragement, energy and enrichment that means so much to the athletes and to everyone in the family.”
Special Olympics New Jersey will host the 2014 Special Olympics USA games, next June 14 - 21. “Our many dedicated partners in providing Special Olympics New Jersey are extremely proud to have been selected as host of the 2014 USA games,” said President of Special Olympics New Jersey Marc Edenzon. “Every year, I have watched as the commitment of our athletes, coaches, volunteers, sponsors and Law Enforcement has grown; and, next year, during the USA Games, the nation will witness ‘Genuine Jersey Pride,’ which is our new slogan that reflects the spirit of Special Olympics New Jersey.”
All programs are free to registered athletes. Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. The organization operates on an annual budget primarily funded through individual, corporate, civic and foundation dollars that make up more than 98 percent of the annual operating budget.
Special Olympics New Jersey 2012 Summer Games at The College of New Jersey