Kate MacKenzie: Helping Special Needs Youth Play

With Labor Day just a few days away, the fall season starts for many, especially for KEEN New York.  For us, it means the Bronx sports program is about to start up again and our annual gala is just a couple months away.  To look back to see what we have accomplished this year has been amazing.  We were able to expand our swim program in June, allowing an additional 40 children the chance to swim!!  One of the new families to the program wrote this:

"My best regards to all the staff/volunteers that impacted my son's life during the sessions.  Almost every day he says: "Mommy, going swimming today, or Big Gym today, Mommy."

We were able to accomplish that with your help!!  From the bottom of our hearts at KEEN New York- Thank You!!!

Sincerely,

KEEN New York

Links:

• KEEN New York Website

As spring brings in flowers and warmth, KEEN New York is growing in so many ways!  On June 26th, KEEN New York will join the Achilles Hope and Possibility race to bring athletes with disabilities and able-bodied athletes together in a celebration of running. Raffles, free t-shirts for kids, give promise of a great day in the park! Best of all- every KEEN athlete will get to participate for free!  For adults to run the race, there is a fee and you will need to register through the New York Road Runners. 

There are many ways to support KEEN New York in the Achilles Hope and Possibility Race! 

- Sign your child up to participate in the race!  All children are able to compete (please e-mail Nichole at NCerimele@KEENnewyork.org to get an application)

- Create a fundraising page and spread the word about our cause while raising money (link is below) 

- Volunteer to help a KEEN athlete cross the finish line (please e-mail Nichole at NCerimele@KEENnewyork.org if you are interested)

- If you are an adult, sign up to run the race and join us in the 5 mile adventure!

- Or simply donate to help us continue to help children with special needs have fun!

In addition, KEEN New York is getting ready to expand our swim program.  Our first new swim session will begin in June and will help an additional 35 families!  We were able to create this new program with your help by being able to buy more swim caps, pay for more pool time and get some cool new toys.  Thank you for your continue support of KEEN New York!

Links:

• Race Link
• KEEN New York Website

A little over three years ago KEEN New York started with an one hour sports program and just three athletes.  Today, we serve 160 children in three programs (Manhattan sports, the Bronx sports and Manhattan swim).  We were able to achieve this because of you, so I wanted to share a couple of thank you's from our parents:

"We want to thank you for the wonderful swimming program...  My son cannot walk, but for the first time I see him kicking his legs in the water as well as attempting to paddle with his right hand.  He is equal in the water: no wheelchair, no braces or boundaries that set him apart from others. Harry's laughter can be heard clear across the pool." 

“I wanted to thank you again for Saturday! The kids had so much fun. Daniela said it was the best day ever! Andrew was exhausted Saturday night from all the playing and laughing. I’m so glad there was space for both of them."

For us to continue our mission, we need your help again.  Our birthday wish is to expand the swim program to include an addition 35 children.  Any amount will get us that much closer to helping a KEEN athlete learn the joy of swimming.

From the athletes, the coaches and the parents- thank you for all you do for KEEN New York!

 

Links:

• KEEN New York