Cultural Change - Special Olympic World Games

Vision
More than a successful sporting event, we wanted to create a cultural change for persons with intellectual challenges.  From employment to housing, athletic competition to education, we were creating a cultural shift in awareness and perception that would leave a lasting impact in the State of CT and for all who participated in the games.  

Action
The World Games brought together 10,000 athletes, 40,000 volunteers and 150,000 attendees from 136  countries.  We developed host country programs for each town in CT  creating statewide engagement and excitement, the law enforcement torch run ran through every city and town in Connecticut on its way to Yale Bowl for  opening ceremonies, building  excitement and anticipation.  The games created a momentum for dormitories and facilities to have handicap accessibility, the volunteer programs created education, corporate , family and community programs for thousands of volunteers.

Impact
Legacy programs were designed within the event planning strategy:  policy changes have impacted the sports and educational programs in schools, funding for supportive training and employment programs through city, State and corporate partners, on-going volunteer and funding programs for Connecticut athletes and their families, on-going support networks and community infrastructure to support the on-going events and initiatives of Special Olympics.