Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation

In This Issue: Letter from Rick Smith | New BORP Equipment | REV Rewards | Access Northern CA | Adventures & Outings | Fitness Classes | Adaptive Cycling | Fitness Fun via Zoom | New BORP.org | BORP Covid-19 Guidelines | Social Media Links

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BORP’s Team Grows

As we close the door on 2021/22 (BORP’s fiscal year), BORP is excited to announce new members of BORP’s Board/staff leadership team.

First, BORP has a new Board President! As we start our new 2022/23 fiscal year, I’m pleased to announce that Steve Lau was recently elected to be BORP’s new President. He succeeds John Ormsby. Steve joined the board in 2015 and has been a long time BORP program participant (Basketball and Cycling). Steve works as a Medical Social Worker at Sutter Health. 

BORP has also inducted three new board members:

Debra Myerson: Previously a tenured professor at Stanford University, Debra studied, wrote, lectured, and taught about diversity, gender, identity and organizational change. In September 2010, Debra suffered a severe stroke that nearly killed her and initially left her paralyzed on the right side of her body and completely mute. Years of intensive therapy and a relentless work ethic enabled Debra to regain much of her independence. Debra wrote Identity Theft: Rediscovering Ourselves after Stroke in 2019. Debra is currently riding across the US for Stroke Onward, a nonprofit organization she founded dedicated to stroke awareness.

Emily Seelenfreund: Emily is Staff Attorney at Disability Rights Advocates where she litigates and negotiates class action cases advancing the civil rights of people with all types of disabilities. In 2019 Emily founded ParaCliffhangers, Inc. a nonprofit organization that empowers people with disabilities through rock climbing.

Mina Sun: Mina came to BORP through her son who has a vision impairment. She is the founder of Sun Access, Inc. a new accessibility company with the mission of establishing accessibility-driven product development and innovation in technology companies. Most recently she advised Google on building external partnerships and a framework for connecting Google product teams with external user communities.

We also welcomed Mia Feldbaum in a new role on BORP’s staff as the Program Manager of our new kayaking program at Aquatic Park. Previously, Mia worked for BORP’s adaptive cycling program. Mia has a master’s degree focusing on disability studies and previously led accessible boat-based wilderness trips for Wilderness Inquiry. She is a certified California Naturalist and has developed outdoor education programming for years.

Finally, one last thanks to everyone who made the 2022 Revolution such a success.

Happy summer everyone,

Rick Smith

Executive Director

US Paralympic Basketball Player Matt Scott Helps "Activate" New BORP Equipment 

On Saturday, July 9th BORP celebrated the receipt of a $35,000 grant from The Hartford for new adaptive sports equipment. The grant enabled us to enhance our adaptive sports programming through the purchase of additional sports chairs as well as fitness, kayaking, and archery equipment to its inventory to better serve individuals with physical disabilities.

Matt Scott, a member of the US Paralympic basketball team (which won the gold in 2020), was on hand to "activate" the equipment on behalf of the Hartford. The grant will enable BORP to expand a handful of programs including archery, kayaking, wheelchair basketball, and fitness.

The Hartford has been inspiring human achievement through adaptive sports for nearly 30 years. As a leading provider of disability insurance, the company has seen first-hand the positive impact sports can have on people and is dedicated to making adaptive sports and equipment more accessible. 

BORP extends our sincere thanks to the Hartford for this tremendous gift!

Image 1: Paralympian Matt Scott and 4 youth in wheelchair basketball chairs are seen in a circle, holding hands.

Image 2: New equipment is shown in front of a Hartford backdrop, 5 wheelchair basketball chairs. In front of 3 chairs are blue signs with  white logos, Move United, The Hartford, and BORP.

Image 3: Paralympian Matt Scott high-fives a youth player. The youth holds a basketball with his right hand. They are both in black shirts.

Image 4: Paralympian Matt Scott high-fives a youth player. Matt wears a black shirt. The youth wears a yellow Golden State Warriors jersey.

Revolution Fundraisers: Check your email inbox next week for your fundraising rewards! Folks who raised more that $1,500, and folks who recruited a participant new to the event who raised more than $400*, will have a special thank you arriving soon.

For everyone: Your pass to the Columbia Employee Store in Richmond is valid through this Sunday, July 17. If you are planning on some shopping, this is your weekend. Download your pass here. Remember, 10% of the purchase price of everything you buy will be given back to BORP as a contribution from Columbia. So, shop away and support BORP at the same time!

Still have donors interested in giving? Fantastic! Your fundraising pages on the Revolution Ride website are still open to take donations; every dollar makes a difference.

*Participants must have noted who referred them to the REV in order for us to track your connection to them. That information was submitted when they registered as a participant.

Access Northern California Updates

Check out BORP's new birding webpage where you'll find resources for birding and a list of accessible sites that are good for birding.

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is one of the only funding sources to recognize that a lack of reliable information about which parks are accessible to people with disabilities is indeed a big barrier to getting outdoors. They highlighted BORP’s Access to Nature program in their latest newsletter. Read the NEEF newsletter here.

Staff went to a preview of the new Presidio Tunnel Tops in San Francisco and it's going to be a fabulous place for the entire family to spend the day when it opens to the public on July 17th. It has places to be in nature, picnic sites, lawns and gathering spaces, a nature play space for kids, and stunning views when it's not foggy. It’s easy to reach by Muni's 30 Stockton bus. With its opening there will now be easy access between Crissy field and the Presidio. 

Image: A group of wheelchair users and some standing look for birds at Richardson Bay.

The Adventures & Outings (A&O) calendar is full of in-person and virtual programming! Events are listed on the new BORP calendar: www.borp.org/calendar. To participate in any of the A&O events, you must first contact Lori Gray at [email protected] or by phone at 510-843-4398 (calls accepted after 10 a.m.).

A&O events to look forward to in July and August include:

Monthly Indoor Rock Climbing

Outdoor Hikes and Activities throughout the Bay Area

Monthly Highly Descriptive Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Virtual Tours

Open Gym: BORP's Fitness Studio in the Ed Roberts Campus

3075 Adeline St, Berkeley. Every Tuesday 4:30-5:30 PM. Free!

Everyone is welcome to come use the equipment at BORP's Fitness Studio. This is not an instructor led class. If you are not able to use the equipment independently you may bring someone to assist. Participants must use masks and be vaccinated. Limited to eight participants. Please sign up so you can be notified of schedule changes. Email [email protected] for more information.

Image: Three women and a yellow dog are in a fitness studio. One woman in a manual chair is using the Vitaglide fitness equipment. A woman in a powerchair is swinging split ropes. Another woman in a power chair is stretching out using TRX system.

Six Week Summer Series: Fitness for All – Starting July 21st

Six Week Summer Workout Series! Join Jorge for a fun and inclusive workout, outside in the courtyard of the BORP Cycling Center. We will be using innovative adaptive equipment designed to work for you. These courses are a great way to stay active and socialize outside while maintaining social distancing. All fitness levels welcome.

Class Fee: Donation Based. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Register here for Jorge's Six Week Summer Workout.

Email [email protected] with your Fitness Studio questions.

Adaptive Cycling Center – Summer Hours:

By appointment from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

[email protected] 510-848-2930

San Francisco Adaptive Cycling with BORP

The San Francisco Adaptive Cycling Program, funded by SF Recs and Parks, happens on Saturdays through the end of October. 

On the 1st and 3rd Saturdays we will be located at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park next to the new accessible bandshell parking lot.

On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays we will be located on the Great Highway at Judah Street. 

Reservations are required and bike availability is limited. 

All reservations must be made before 5pm on the Friday before (minimum 1 week's notice for reservations). 

Image: A person rides in a seated handcycle on a paved path road in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. A pedestrian walks behind them. In the background there is lush park greenery, a large statue, and a Ferris Wheel.

Online Fitness Fun for Everyone!

BORP offers an array of online fitness classes each week, Mondays through Saturdays, and there's something for everyone.

Register for online classes here.

Sit Fit | Magic Monday | Tai Chi | Inclusive Functional Strength Training | Adaptive Chair Yoga | Move to the Beats! | Mindful Movement | Seated Pilates and Breathwork Rumba with Tina | Move to the Beats

Image reads: BORP online fitness studio. 

www.BORP.org has a new look!

BORP is thrilled to announce the launch of our new website. Take a peek and find:

• Up-to-date information on BORP's programs
• An easy-to-use calendar with all our upcoming events, classes and practices
• Information about BORP's mission, team, and history
• Volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved
• The latest news about BORP 

The new site was created with Mighty Minnow and is designed to be user-friendly and accessible.

Reminder: To keep up to date on the latest protocols from BORP around masking, vaccination requirements, and more, please visit borp.org/covid-guidelines.

BORP has pandemic-related safety protocols (masking and vaccination requirements) for indoor and outdoor activities, the Adventures & Outings program, and the Adaptive Cycling Center for all individuals aged 5 years and older.

Our Facebook page features what’s happening at BORP, news about adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation, and other issues of interest to the disability community. BORP is also on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Follow, like, and subscribe to us across all your social media platforms!

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports, fitness and recreation programs. www.borp.org

Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation