Causes: Children & Youth, Human Services

Mission: Through year-round sports and training, individuals with intellectual disabilities are given the chance to gain confidence, seek opportunities to improve their physical fitness, demonstrate pride, and participate in their communities.

Programs: Special olympics missouri (somo) serves individuals with intellectual disabilities each year, by combining the health, fitness, social, and emotional benefits that result from participation in sports. Somo will substantially increase its capacity to serve these individuals through a state-of-the art training for life campus. This world-class, 44,000-square-foot facility will be built on 16.5 acres in jefferson city, mo, centrally located for more than 120,400 individuals in the state who qualify for and would benefit from somo programs. Research shows developed economies like the united states have reduced physical activity levels by as much as 32% in fewer than two generations. The science is clear. Physical activity does more than create good health. It contributes to leadership, productivity and innovation. Special olympics provides training for life. One-third of somo athletes have autism spectrum disorder and another third have down syndrome. There are an estimated 120,400 individuals with intellectual disabilities in missouri. Athletes who participate in special olympics can double the likelihood to find and keep employment, making it far more than a sports organization. The motor skills of our children participating in the young athletes program improved at twice the rate of children who were not involved. Special olympics is the largest public health platform for people with id in the world, partnering with healthcare professionals in missouri to offer free screenings. Special olympics is proud to have 83% program expenses for 2014.This is especially impressive during a capital campaign while continuing to serve over 16,5000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities with the invaluable assistance from 21,040 volunteers. Special olympics received over $2.2 million in contributed goods and services that are budget relieving. While this amount is excluded form the form 990, somo believes this is integral to our success. According to a recent athlete survey, 64% of somo athletes live below the federal poverty level and an additional 7% live below 133% of the federal poverty level.

the healthy athletes program is an initiative developed by special olympics, inc. , with a mission of improving the overall health of our athletes through various health screenings. This program offers athletes the opportunity to improve their health in an environment that is focused on the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Screening programs include funfitness, healthy hearing, fit feet, health promotion, opening eyes, special smiles, and medfest. With the help of local volunteer health professionals, medfest provides athletes with physical examinations. Medfest exams also address questions and concerns of athletes' parents and guardians. All healthy athletes programs are provided free of charge to all special olympics athletes. 1,448 athletes were screened during 2014.$1 of healthy athlete expense results in $5 of service (pro bono). These programs were mainly funded by donated services in 2014, which were valued at $23,260.