Carlos and Roman will lead a Youth Innovation Project to support Special Olympics Youth Leaders with maintaining healthy lifestyles by promoting balanced nutrition, healthy eating habits, and appreciation for locally grown food sources.

Carlos and Roman will lead a team of Youth Leaders with and without intellectual disabilities and community volunteers to design, plan and implement their project.

Over six months, Carlos and Roman will host activities and workshops that give individuals with and without intellectual disabilities the tools, knowledge, and opportunity to learn about the importance of healthy nutrition, ecology, and gardening. Participants will also learn about responsibility, teamwork, and respect for nature, others, and themselves. Carlos and Roman’s project will culminate with the Healthy Athletes Garden, where Special Olympics athletes and Youth Leaders will plant, grow, harvest, and share the fruits of their labor to inspire and empower the Unified Generation to maintain fit and healthy lifestyles.