Imagine young people just like you around the world acting as agents of change – fostering acceptance, respect, dignity and inclusion for all people. Imagine a friendlier, more welcoming place for all of us. Here are some things you can do to help make that happen.
Join our Fan Community and tell your friends
Be a fan and connect with people who are passionate about changing attitudes and championing people with intellectual disabilities in their communities while creating a more accepting and inclusive world for all of us. Check it Out.
Plan a Movie Night
It’s as easy as going to the movies! Just invite a few of your friends to meet you at the theater to see the latest blockbuster (or to come over to your house for a movie night of your favorite videos). And then include some of those students you might not normally hang out with. The ones in special ed, or who sit at another table at lunch. Watch a movie that is interesting or fun, and then get together for coke or pizza afterwards to share and enjoy each other's reactions to the film. The movie The Ringer is a good one to watch. Take pictures. Have fun.
Then tell us about your experience. We want to know how it went, what you learned and how you felt. Would you do it again? Did you make any new friends? Share your story and post your photos. Who knows, we may highlight your event as our featured story.
Plan your own Youth Rally or Youth Summit
You can plan your own Rally or Summit in your school or community and help educate and mobilize people to help build a more accepting and inclusive world. Check out our Youth Summit playbook and start organizing your own summit to discuss ways to reverse negative stereotypes and attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities.
Be a fan of Special Olympics Athletes in Your Community
We all like to cheer on great athletes. Well, Special Olympics athletes want to hear the roar of the crowd, too. Find out when the next Special Olympics event in your community is going to take place, and if there are athletes at your school who will be competing. Get a group together from your school to make posters or banners, organize a pep rally, or go to the event as fans in the stands, to cheer on your fellow students and other Special Olympics athletes. Or if you can, sign up to volunteer. Maybe even coach or get involved in Unified Sports. Have fun.
Then tell us about your experience – we want to know how it went, what you learned and how you felt. Would you do it again? Did you make any new friends? Share your story and post your photos. Who knows, we may highlight your event as our featured story.
Make a Difference - Youth Activation Grants
Get inspired and we’ll help you. We have introduced a grant program managed by and for young people to support youth-driven projects that make difference in school and communities. These grants will be awarded based on criteria developed by the Global Youth Activation Summit Assembly, and the applications will be reviewed by young people. Completed proposals must be submitted by 15 April 2009. Learn more.
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| | What YOU Can Do | |
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| | - Get in touch with Special Olympics near you to see what you can do to help.
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| | - Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
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