Special Olympics NY
In 2023, Special Olympics NY continued to serve students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) from the Olean, Allegany-Limestone, Franklinville, and Salamanca school districts through participation in Unified basketball and Unified soccer. In addition, the AlleCatts community training club of mostly adults ages 21 and older, participated in bowling, bocce, and track and field.
These initiatives ensure that individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) of all ages have access to competitive, quality, and cost-free athletic programming.
SONY applied its United Way grant funds in a variety of impactful ways, fulfilling its goals for the grant.
The AlleCatts training club started a new track and field team in the spring, with SONY providing equipment and uniforms through the United Way grant. Training fees were covered for AlleCatts bowling, and transportation costs were covered to take athletes to track, bocce, and bowling competitions, in addition to the Summer State Games in Ithaca.
In late April, 135 students from the Allegany-Limestone, Franklinville, Olean, and Salamanca school districts participated in the annual Unified Basketball event at St. Bonaventure University. In early October, approximately 30 students from Allegany-Limestone ventured to the St. Bonaventure campus for a Unified Soccer clinic in partnership with the Bonnies’ women’s soccer team and Dr. Paula Scraba.
Program costs for storage and a portion of salary for the SONY Western Region Director of Program were also supported by the United Way grant.
In early 2023, Stephanie Kubiak, a long-time coach with our SONY program at Arc of Allegany-Steuben, took a position closer to her home in Olean and found herself looking to stay involved. Luckily, we were able to connect her with existing SONY coaches in Cattaraugus County and she quickly became an integral part of the AlleCatts community training club. Stephanie offered a glowing report of her first summer and fall seasons with her new athletes.
Stephanie has long been a respected volunteer – she was chosen by staff to be a representative on the SONY Statewide Coaches Council. When she found herself amid life changes, it was especially gratifying that remaining a part of our mission was at the forefront of her mind. Connecting Stephanie with the AlleCatts was a welcome gift to the club, as she quickly took a leadership role and helped establish the new track and field team. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and keeping Stephanie engaged quickly led to a successful outcome for the athletes of Cattaraugus County.
She offered the following report:
The 2023 Spring and Summer seasons for the AlleCatts were filled with competition and fun. Spring 2023 was the Alle-Catts' first time having an Athletics team. The athletes did not seem like they were new to the sport though. Each athlete took the decision of choosing their events seriously and practiced hard at the ones they chose. Practice was held weekly at the Olean School District's track on Wayne St. and the athletes came ready to practice each week. The team enjoyed the Spring Games that were held in Tonawanda and came home with a variety of ribbons and great memories.
Summer ‘23 the Alle-Catts focused on bocce ball, which was very competitive. Practices were held at one of the Intandem residences. The athletes preferred to split up into men's and women's teams. Each week they practiced against each other and had fun while they were at it.
The teams took part in the Special Olympics Regional Bocce tournament hosted at Houghton University. The teams were excited to get to compete against other teams on the turf field. All of the athletes used the time between their matches to socialize with members of the other teams - many they recognized from previous seasons. The bocce and athletics teams are looking forward to the 2024 season.
