Newsletter Fall 2020
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generosity in supporting the Adaptive Sports Foundation. Your support is truly remarkable and crucial in helping ASF reach its goal of expanding its services to as many regions of Quebec as possible. We are pleased to present our Fall 2020 Newsletter providing you with a glimpse of the work that we have achieved over the past year, despite these unprecedented times due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade“ they say!
Even though we are all going through difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our dynamic team has stayed positive and focused on updating our various policies and procedures as well as revamping our website. We also finalized new partnerships with other organizations who will play a major role in our expansion. Our goal is to offer a « one stop shop » for anyone who lives with physical disabilities to practice outdoor sports. Our role is not only to assist them with the help of our trained volunteers but also help them adopt active and healthy lifestyle habits despite their condition.
For the last 5 years, we have been focusing on gradually expanding our services and this has been a key factor in the growth of our foundation throughout the province of Quebec.
None of us could have predicted a Covid pandemic, but the truth is, it made many realize that isolation leads to increased loneliness and risk for depressions among the population. It serves as a reminder to us of the importance of the ASF community and renewed our efforts moving forward.
We are grateful for your generosity and we would like to thank you for your continued support and commitment to our mission.
I hope that you enjoy reading the latest newsletter which should bring you up to date with what has been done this past year….Thank you and happy reading!
- Steve Charbonneau
Safety First Unfortunately, we had to end our 2020 Winter Program abruptly, like many others, as a direct result of the pandemic. We were also obligated to suspend the entire Summer Program in order to respect public health measures but mostly to protect the health of our members who often have a compromised immune system. Safety has always been our primary goal and our procedures require physical proximity with our participants due to transfers in and out of the equipment. Therefore, this would significantly increase the risks of transmission of the virus. The safety of our volunteers is also our major concern for us as many of our volunteers are in the age bracket considered at a high risk.
You would like to know more about us? Call (450) 243-5985 or visit our website www.adaptivesports.ca
Keeping the ASF Community Active At ASF, we strive for inclusion and equality in sports. It is important for a person living with a physical disability to enjoy the benefits of outdoor sports while being treated with appropriate respect. Participating in our programs enables our 800 participants per year to socialize with their peers in a meaningful way that social media cannot replace. Being physically active is a perfect way to improve their health and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Despite our not being able to offer sports programs, we kept in contact with our participants and volunteers. We organized many ZOOM reunions that allowed everyone to chat and laugh together but mostly, we wanted to know how ASF could help. We wanted to offer our help to anyone in need. The strong involvement of our volunteers is the backbone of our organization. It was important for us to give them the opportunity to socialize and maintain that strong sense of belonging they find on the hill.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again!
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