Too often individuals with intellectual disabilities are forgotten, marginalized, and disrespected, even today. In Special Olympics, athletes and their supporters open hearts and minds towards people with intellectual disabilities through year-round sport programs, empowering competitions, and inclusive awareness initiatives.
Our amazing athletes need the help of young people who want to change the world and create a more inclusive future.
In 2020-21, Special Olympics British Columbia will be undertaking our second Youth Engagement Project, seeking to connect young people age 16 to 29 with the SOBC community, in order to collaborate and address the need for greater inclusion and respect for people with intellectual disabilities in communities across B.C. The SOBC Youth Engagement Project is funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program.
Successful applicants will run a project on one of three three themes, which they will choose based on their personal interests and passions:
- Inclusive Schools
- Physical Literacy
- Nutrition Literacy
Please click here to find the full project description and application process. Young people who want to make the world a better place are invited to apply by June 22, 2020!
-Anneke Cairnie, member of the inaugural SOBC Youth Engagement Project
First SOBC Youth Engagement Project 2019-20
The inspiring members of Special Olympics BC’s first Youth Engagement Project opened hearts and minds around the province. With the support of the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program, the Youth Engagement Project leaders created and ran their own initiatives to increase inclusion in their communities throughout B.C.
Their sport and awareness events created so many positive benefits. Throughout their communities, they increased inclusion, changed attitudes about the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and gave Special Olympics BC athletes opportunities to help lead the way to a better world. They created opportunities for fellow young people to volunteer and learn, and worked with their SOBC Local Committees in their efforts to make a difference.
We are so proud to know these thoughtful, passionate, interesting young people, and so grateful for all their efforts to create inclusion and awareness of Special Olympics!
Please click here to read about their successful projects
-Megan Owens, member of the inaugural SOBC Youth Engagement Project
