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Urban Programs

By 2050, according to the United Nations, 6 billion people — two-thirds of the world population — will live in urban areas. A city is only as strong as the opportunities it creates for its most underserved residents, which includes people with intellectual disabilities.

This is why Special Olympics Virginia is committed to providing athletic training to students and community members in the City of Richmond and Petersburg who have intellectual disabilities. As the only program of its kind, Special Olympics Virginia’s Urban Programs meet a valuable need for an isolated population, inner-city youth in particular, who are not able to participate in competitive athletics.

As a result, thanks to partnerships with the Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Parks & Recreation, and other local agencies serving at-risk youth, Special Olympics Virginia’s Urban Programs have grown by more than 400% in the last six years - from just 200 athletes in 2000 to more than 1,200 in 2008.

Urban Programs use sports competition as an instrument to aid the physical, social, emotional and mental development of people with intellectual disabilities. The mastery of a new skill is a deeply satisfying experience for everyone and that experience is particularly important to the people we serve, who often struggle to acquire other basic skills such as reading, fluency and simple mathematical competence.

Help us reach the more than 2,000 potential Richmond students with intellectual disabilities, as well as hundreds of adults living in group or residential homes. Sponsor, coach, compete or volunteer and make a difference in Virginia’s Capitol. To learn more, e-mail Floyd Miller, Director of Urban Programs, or call him at 804.726.3035 or 800.932.4653 x3035.

Youth with intellectual disabilities attending Richmond Public Schools have very few, if any, opportunities to participate in physical education classes and structured intramural sporting events due to financial cut backs and lack of adaptive physical education teachers.

Currently, Richmond Parks & Recreation has no programs geared toward individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics has filled this void with its Urban Programs. Join us.