Rachel Strom of Charlotte, NC, has been named the local program co-coordinator for Special Olympics Rowan County effective immediately, according to Special Olympics North Carolina (SONC) President/CEO Keith L. Fishburne.
Strom is a full-time therapeutic recreation specialist with Rowan County Parks and Recreation with previous experience volunteering at Western Carolina’s University Participant Program, which provides a two-year, inclusive and on-campus living and learning experience for their students with intellectual disabilities. She will volunteer with Special Olympics Rowan County alongside fellow co-coordinator Edward Hailey, a therapeutic recreation supervisor with Rowan County Parks and Recreation.
As local program coordinators, Strom and Hailey will work together on the implementation of Special Olympics activities within Rowan County by leading a volunteer committee that will provide sports training and competition opportunities along with health and wellness initiatives for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. This involves recruiting, training and managing volunteers, increasing athlete participation and raising funds in support of the program.
To get involved in Special Olympics Rowan County, please contact rowan@sonc.net.
About Special Olympics North Carolina
Since 1968, the organization has used the transformative power of sports to improve the lives of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 40,000 athletes in North Carolina inspire thousands of coaches, sports officials, local program committee members and event organizers involved in Special Olympics statewide. SONC offers year-round training and competition in 20 Olympic-type sports on local and state levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Youth become agents of change through Unified Champion Schools, an education and sports-based program created by Special Olympics to build an inclusive environment among youth with and without intellectual disabilities as well as empower them to become youth leaders and create change in their community. Visit Special Olympics North Carolina at www.specialolympicsnc.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
