Athlete Leaders and staff from Special Olympics Northern California and Special Olympics Southern California came together for a joint advocacy trip to Sacramento from Monday, March 11, to Wednesday, March 13.
The annual trip is a fun and engaging way for Special Olympics California to meet with government officials to thank them for their support and share our stories of impact. The State of California currently provides funding assistance for Special Olympics programs in the State Budget.
Eight NorCal Athlete Leaders – most of whom experienced the Capitol events for the first time – joined a group from Southern California for three days of activations. NorCal and SoCal Athlete Leaders, joined by staff members and sometimes parents or guardians, participated in more than 55 meetings with assemblymembers and senators. Special Olympics was also honored during Floor Sessions for the Assembly and Senate, and the group was able to meet and take photos with Governor Gavin Newsom on the last day of the trip.
Special Olympics also hosted an Inclusion Reception at the California Museum on Tuesday evening. The event featured remarks from Assemblymember Tim Grayson, Assemblymember Tom Lackey, Special Olympics NorCal President & CEO David Solo, Special Olympics SoCal President & CEO Kelly Pond, and NorCal Athlete Leader Amanda, who recited an original poem:
Celebrating Inclusion
Today we celebrate inclusion at the State Capitol.
Sacramento, California, has never felt more empowered to shower Special Olympics athletes with love. We go above the stereotype to dismantle the limits. Let our voices be loud and proud. Nothing will stop us from gaining equality.
Yes, we will be free. Free from oppression and limitation. With our voices we will end discrimination. Local leaders please hear our cheers. We will never end our call.
We are celebrating inclusion.
