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Community Connect Monthly Newsletter

Special Olympics Ontario has recently rebranded monthly newsletters to "Community Connect." Be sure to follow Special Olympics Ontario on social media for continued updates or visit specialolympicsontario.com for additional information.

Meet Jared MacMichael!

Get ready to meet Sault Ste Marie's very own superstar athlete – Jared MacMichael! This dynamic force has been dominating the Special Olympics scene for an impressive 30 years and counting. Jared is a triple threat, excelling in Athletics, Curling, and Swimming, and he's not afraid to show off his impressive skills. 



For Jared, Special Olympics isn't just about winning medals – it's about making lifelong friends and pushing himself to be the best he can be. Jared pours his heart and soul into every competition, leaving everything he's got on the field, rink, or pool. 

Hometown Games

Registration is still open for ALL of these events, so click below to participate today! 

Happening this month:

APRIL 15

Orillia Basketball (PQ)

North Bay Powerlifting (PQ)

APRIL 16

London Floor Hockey

APRIL 22

Durham Rhythmic Gymnastics (PQ)

Ottawa Swimming (PQ)

Hamilton Basketball (PQ)

APRIL 23

Collingwood 5 Pin Bowling

Welland 10 Pin Bowling (PQ)

APRIL 29

Sudbury 5 Pin Bowling

Kingston Powerlifting (PQ)

Kingston 10 Pin Bowling (PQ)

APRIL 30

Arnprior Basketball (PQ)

Survey on Sexual Health Promotion 

We are looking for individuals with intellectual disabilities to complete a survey on sexual health. The goal of this survey is to learn more about your sexual health education needs. Results will be used to develop sexual health resources for Special Olympics Ontario athletes.  

Participants have to be at least 18 years old and be diagnosed with an intellectual disability to participate in this survey.  

Participation in this survey is voluntary and will take about 10 minutes. If you agree to participate in this survey, all answers will remain confidential and only be viewed by the Special Olympics Ontario staff members. The information will be stored through a secure platform used by Special Olympics Ontario. 

You may find it uncomfortable to answer some of the questions, however, you can skip any questions you do not want to answer and may end the survey at any time.  

If you participate in this study and choose to disclose your contact information, you will be entered into a draw to win a $10 Tim Hortons gift card. Your personal information will remain confidential. The survey will close on April 14th, 2023 and the winner will be contacted on this day.  

Wizard Foundation Auction Coming April 4th! 

The Wizard Foundation was formed by nine high school friends who felt compelled to give back to the community and made Special Olympics Ontario its first draft choice. The cumulative donation to this amazing charitable organization after 34 years is over $2 million.  

This year they are again holding their annual auction online, and you are invited to participate! Lots of great prizes are up for bid, and 100% of proceeds go back to Special Olympics Ontario. The auction will open at noon on April 4th – don't miss out! 

Feedback Needed! Ontario Parasport Collective - Recreational Programming Survey

We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Ontario Parasport Collective (OPC) to request your participation in a survey aimed at gathering information from parents regarding recreational programming. This survey is an essential part of our Continuing to Play project, which was established to address the challenges that many adaptive programs have faced in resuming operations post-COVID. Our goal is to ensure that children with disabilities are supported and able to continue playing. As valued members of the community, your input is vital in helping us achieve this aim.

The survey is comprised of ten questions and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Your valuable and insightful responses will help guide us as we move forward with this important project.

Fueling for Sport Webinar

Special Olympics athletes are encouraged to watch the "Fueling for Sport" webinar, brought to you by our partner Sobeys. This informative webinar provides valuable insights into the benefits of healthy eating before, during, and after sports activities. Athletes can learn about various tools and tips to make healthier food choices while also connecting with coaches and caregivers from across the country.

Through proper nutrition, athletes can ensure their bodies are fueled for optimal performance, and this webinar provides a comprehensive guide on how to achieve this. Additionally, the webinar highlights the significant impact of nutrition on improving performance, energy levels, endurance, muscle healing and recovery, injury prevention, and focus and reaction times. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your athletic performance to the next level!

European-Styled Cycling Relay Event Returning June 3rd 

Taking place on Saturday June 3rd, coinciding with the beginning of Ontario Bike Month, CAYUGA VELO will take place at prominent Ontario auto circuit Toronto Motorsports Park, and now features both 4-hour and 8-hour relays, which are sure to increase interest, participation, fundraising and fun.    

We are pumped to again offer cyclists this very unique and exceptional ride experience that includes: 

• Cycling on pristine pavement on a closed 3km auto race circuit with complete amenity access 
• Friendly competition and great team camaraderie and bonding  
• Genuine pit row experience along with a Bike Safety and Tune Up Zone 
• Live precision lap by lap digital timing capturing all team results 
• Complimentary refreshments and snacks 
• Riding for yourself while also riding in support of others – 100% of donations raised directly benefit Special Olympic athletes across the province. 

CAYUGA VELO is an inclusive adult event where mixed and single-gender teams of cyclists of all abilities are welcome to participate. 

To register your team or learn more about this event, please visit cayugavelo.ca 

Inployable

Connecting Employers to People with Down Syndrome

There are nearly 1 million open jobs in Canada. Yet due to hiring bias over 50% of people with Down syndrome still struggle to find a job. Founded in 2022 by the Canadian Down Syndrome Society and LinkedIn, “inployable” is the first-ever employment network on LinkedIn for people with Down syndrome to close the hiring gap.

Employment creates opportunities for independence and connection in our community. Whether you have a job or not, we’re looking for people with Down syndrome to create a personal profile on LinkedIn to show how many members of the community are ready to work! If you need help setting up your profile, a LinkedIn coach is ready to guide you through the process.

Share Your Special Olympics Story

For the chance to have your Special Olympics story featured in a future newsletter, social media post, or campaign, submit your information on our Athlete Profile Form! Fill out your information, tell us your story, and submit a photo of you participating in Special Olympics, or include a headshot. 

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