To provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with mental disabilities.

Description:
Special Olympics Kentucky is a non-profit organization that provides sports training and competition programs for children and adults with mental disabilities throughout Kentucky. Programs and opportunities are available for Special Olympics athletes at both the local and state levels. Special Olympics Kentucky has a small staff that administers the programs statewide. But, by in-large, volunteers are the "driving force" behind the program. Volunteer opportunities range from a one-day committment to on-going coaching opportunities.

History:
Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started sports programs in the mid 1960's for persons with mental disabilities. Through these programs it was learned that these individuals with mental disabilities could develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. Thus, the Special Olympics program officially began in 1968 with the first ever International Games in Chicago. Three countries participated in those Games and today the movement has grown world-wide to where there are over 165 countries with accredited Special Olympics programs.

Contact people:

Kim Satterwhite, Program Director, (phone), (email) Trish Mazzoni, VP of Programs, (phone), (email) Melissa Hardison, Program Assistant, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 1-502-695-0496

Address:

105 Lakeview Court Frankfort, KY 40601 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.soky.org