Videos by Special Olympics Arizona in Phoenix. Live Unified. Play Unified. SOAZ provides inclusive sports, health & leadership programs for those with intellectual disabilities. These programs provide opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy.
๐Today is the International Day of Charity, a perfect opportunity to uplift and empower through your support for Special Olympics Arizona! By volunteering, donating, or attending an SOAZ event, you help our organization provide invaluable programs that enhance the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.๐ Your contribution fuels training, competitions, and educational initiatives that promote physical fitness, overall health, courage, and joy among our athletes. Join us in celebrating the power of giving and see the difference you can make. Get involved and be a part of our inclusive community today: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/
Gear up for an action-packed September with SOAZ! ๐ Hereโs whatโs happening across Arizona: 9/7 - Dive in at the Mountain Area Swim Competition + Palo Verde Area Swim Competition 9/13 - Cheer on athletes at the Four Peaks Swim Competition ๐ 9/14 - More swimming in the Four Peaks area, Upper and Lower River Area Swim Competitions 9/14 - Finally, The Bare Aspen Wine and Beer Tasting ๐ท 9/17 - AIA Unified Badminton Sectionals East Valley 9/19 - AIA Unified Badminton Sectionals West Valley 9/19 - Strike excitement at the Yuma Union High School Bowling Competition ๐ณ 9/21 - The Coronado Area Swim Competition 9/24 - The Mountain/North Monument Youth Bocce Competition 9/25-9/27 - The Palo Verde Area Bocce Competition 9/26 - AIA Unified Badminton Competition 9/26 - Encourage our youth swimmers at the Mountain Youth Swim Competition 9/27 - Four Peaks Bocce Competition (School Delegations) 9/28 - Enjoy the community spirit at the Four Peaks Bocce Competition (Community Delegations), Mountain Area Bocce Competition, Upper River Area Bocce Competition, and Lower River Area Bocce Competition Want to join the fun and make a difference? Check out https://soaz.givepulse.com/group/676857-special-olympics-arizona and sign up to volunteer. Letโs make September a month to remember with SOAZ!
All-INclusive Night presented by TriDave Legacy Trust is just around the corner! Join us on October 3rd at Footprint Center to celebrate the SOAZ community, promote inclusion, and so much more! Get your tickets today! General Admission tickets are FREE if you pre-register here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/DXp/ What was your favorite part about All-INclusive Night last year? ๐๐ Ours was... โจ Basketball fun โจ Photo opps โจ Silent auction โจ Dance parties โจ Inclusivity all around! #allinclusivenight2024 #phoenixevents #volunteer #events #basketball #phoenixsuns #phoenixmercury #specialolympics
Meet Conner S., a dynamic SOAZ athlete from the Yuma delegation! ๐ Connerโs athletic repertoire is impressive, spanning basketball, bocce, volleyball, swimming, powerlifting, track and field, tennis, golf, and bowling. But itโs not just about sports for him; Conner treasures the friendships heโs forged through SOAZ and his involvement in programs like Athlete Leadership and Health Messaging. Conner is passionate about encouraging other athletes to dive into the SOAZ experience, emphasizing the joy and social connections that come with participation. For Conner, SOAZ is all about having fun, staying active, and building community. Join us in cheering on Conner as he continues to inspire and lead within our SOAZ family! ๐๐โโ๏ธ๐ณ
Meet Brenden, a dynamic SOAZ athlete and a passionate member of the Youth Activation Committee (YAC)! ๐ Since joining SOAZ in 2020, Brenden has been a fierce advocate for inclusion, working tirelessly to ensure every student, regardless of ability, feels valued and included at school and beyond. Brenden competes in badminton, basketball, and track, with badminton being his favoriteโ a perfect arena to showcase his impressive skills! One of his most cherished SOAZ memories is engaging in athlete leadership programs, where he's not only honed his sports abilities but also his advocacy skills. He believes everyone should get involved with YAC to help spread the powerful message of inclusion. Are you ready to make a difference? Join Brenden and become a voice for inclusion with SOAZ! ๐ธ๐
August marks Back to School Month, and what better time to focus on making our educational environments more inclusive? ๐โจ Educators, here's how you can transform your school into a welcoming space for all students: 1. Promote Unified Sports: Encourage students of all abilities to join teams where they can learn, grow, and compete together. 2. Inclusive Classrooms: Adapt teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs. Ensure that every student feels supported and valued. 3. Awareness Programs: Implement programs that educate students about disabilities and the importance of inclusion. This can foster empathy and understanding from a young age. 4. Peer Support Groups: Establish mentorship programs where students can support each other, building a community of care and respect. 5. Accessibility Improvements: Review the physical accessibility of your school. Simple changes in infrastructure can make a big difference in inclusivity. Creating an inclusive school environment not only enhances learning for students with disabilities but enriches the educational experience for all. Let's commit to these changes and ensure our schools are a place where every student can thrive!
Meet Lisa, the Regional Development Director with SOAZ.๐ From her first day at Special Olympics Arizona to now, Lisa shares about the impact that SOAZ has had on her life, the love she has for SOAZ athletes + more. Press โถ๏ธ to hear her full interview. Thank you, Lisa, for your hard work and dedication to SOAZ! โค๏ธ #specialolympics #soaz #specialolympicsteam #inclusion #inclusionrevolution #getinvolved #phoenixcommunity
Did you attend the inaugural All-IN(clusive) Night at Footprint Center last October? Well, it's back! ๐๐โ โ The one-of-a-kind event at Footprint Center will have food, drinks, interactive activities, a silent auction, and a live auction. Most importantly, the event will showcase a powerful program that highlights the strength of Special Olympics Arizona athletes, including athlete and coach speakers, Unified basketball game with Suns Alumni as coaches, community awards, a Unified dance performance, and more!โ โ Mark your calendars for October 3, 2024 to attend this spectacular event! Sign up here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/DXp/
Bowl-A-Thon Bash presented by BotBuilders
The inaugural Bowl-A-Thon Bash presented by BotBuilders was an incredible success! ๐ณ
Thank you to everyone who came out to this day full of inclusion, friendship, and fun! It wouldn't have been possible without our great partners and sponsors. Their generosity and commitment proved them to be champions of inclusion!
The sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community participants were vital in creating an empowering and inclusive environment for all participants. We are incredibly grateful for partners like you. ๐
Check out the list of supporters below!
MC Companies (Sharing the Good Life Foundation)
Phillips Law Group Foundation (@phillipslawgroupfoundation)
Tempe Fire (Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department)
Floor Daddy (@floordaddyaz)
Cabinets4Less (Cabinets 4 Less)
Paradise Turf (@paradiseturfaz)
Sun Devil Wresting (Sun Devil Wrestling)
Saving Homes (@savinghomesnow)
Everyone Solar (@everyonesolar)
Homeowners Financial Group (@homeownersfinancialgroup)
Video by Take It Easley Productions
Throwback to the Westwood High School Banner Celebration as we kick off back-to-school month! ๐ซ๐ Last Fall, Westwood High School proudly earned the Unified Champion School National Banner Recognition, symbolizing their commitment to inclusion and unity. Becoming a Unified Champion School means creating a school environment where students with and without disabilities participate in sports and activities together, fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for all. Itโs about breaking down barriers and building a community where everyone belongs and can succeed. As we dive into a new school year, your school can join this transformative movement! Visit specialolympicsarizona.org/athletes/unified/unified-champion-schools to learn how to become a UCS and champion inclusion in your community. #unifiedgeneration #unifiedschool #inclusion #inclusionrevolution #unifiedsports #specialolympics #phoenixcommunity
Ready to go Over the Edge? ๐ข๐ง Join us on November 16, 2024 for repelling down the CityScape building in Downtown Phoenix for an exhilarating event that literally takes your support to new heights! There are only 50 spots left to rappel; register before they're gone. Are you up for the challenge? โก๏ธ Learn more and secure your spot to be part of this daring and inspiring event: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/over-the-edge
Age is just a number at Special Olympics Arizona! ๐ Whether you're a young child stepping onto the sports field for the first time or a senior athlete aiming to hone your skills, SOAZ is a place for you. And the opportunities don't stop there; adults can continue to compete, grow, and even lead as Athlete Leaders. No matter your age, thereโs a spot for you to start your journey as an SOAZ athlete and discover the joy of sports, the thrill of competition, and the camaraderie of teamwork. Join us and be a part of a community that champions inclusivity and personal development at every stage of life. Ready to get started? Learn more and join the SOAZ family today: https://specialolympicsarizona.org/become-an-athlete #athletes #sports #specialolympics #unifiedgeneration #joinourteam #inclusion #phoenixcommunity