INSIDE SOSC: Volunteers Drive Regional Competitions
It was a fitting end to National Volunteer Week last weekend at regional competitions throughout Special Olympics Southern California. Volunteers came out in record numbers ...
Kaiser Permanente Southern California Becomes “Official Health Partner” for SOSC
PASADENA, Calif., April 25, 2018 — Kaiser Permanente Southern California has signed a three-year agreement as the “Official Health Partner” for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC). In yesterday’s contract signing the two entities acknowledged their shared vision and commitment to diversity, inclusion and total health for individuals and communities. “There are many reasons why this ...
#SundaySpotlight: Angela Zhu
By Ashley Carney As April celebrates National Autism Awareness month, Special Olympics Southern California is reminded of the impact it has had on people with intellectual disabilities, and how it has allowed athletes to live their best lives. Meet Angela Zhu, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles, who has autism. Angela is one of the 70 ...
National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Elyse Garcia
Elyse Garcia and her family have been helping individuals with intellectual disabilities longer than Special Olympics Southern California has carried its current name. Her mother used to run a swimming program with the Jewish Community Center, and she was approached by the Western Games – which would go on to become the California Special Olympics. ...
National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Valerie Ruiz
By Ashley Carney The Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego awarded Valerie Ruiz “Special Educator of the Year” for her tireless work and dedication toward getting the district involved with Special Olympics Unified Sports. When Unified Sports was first introduced to the SUHSD in January 2016, Valerie was in the middle of a ...
INSIDE SOSC: What a Week It Was at SOSC
There was so much going on this first half of April within Special Olympics Southern California, we thought we would bring you up to speed. The first half of the month ended on Saturday with five competitions throughout Southern California, including the Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley Regional Spring Games at Azusa Pacific University and Santa ...
Advocates for Inclusion at State Capitol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Athletes and representatives from Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and Special Olympics Northern California (SONC) converged on the California State Capitol Building to advocate as part of Special Olympics Hill Day on Wednesday, April 11. Special Olympics athletes and staff met with key assembly and senate representatives within the capitol to advocate ...
INSIDE SOSC: Springing Into Action
The first full weekend of the Special Olympics Southern California spring season got underway at five locations on Saturday. Among the competitions were the Inland Empire Regional Spring Games in Fontana and Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley South Bay Area Games in Carson. PHOTOS: 2018 Inland Empire Regional Spring Games PHOTOS: 2018 South Bay Area Spring ...
#SundaySpotlight: Lompoc Teammates, Friends Play Unified
April celebrates National Autism Awareness month, and Special Olympics Southern California serves quite a few athletes who are glowing examples of how intellectual disabilities do not define their lives. SOSC also works with Unified partners who are just as impactful and help promote an inclusive environment the organization encourages. Among them is Walker Grossi, a ...
Dive Into April
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Spring sports will dive, sprint, jump and fly into high gear this coming April and what a month we have in store for you. One of the busiest months of the calendar year, April will be a wild ride for sure. Here is what to watch for this month in Special ...
#SundaySpotlight: David Amavisca
David Amavisca’s involvement with Special Olympics Southern California started as a parent, like many. David and his wife, Yndira, then branched out into volunteering, and specifically coaching. David’s impact has reached far more than just his son, Elias, as he was named the 2018 Floor Hockey Coach of the Season. David, a Santa Maria resident, ...