Winning Home Funds Opportunities for Youth Para Rowing

BOSTON, MA [January 11, 2022]—Winning Home, Inc. has awarded Community Rowing, Inc. (CRI) with a total of $5,000 to support its youth para and adaptive rowing program, which provides youth with physical and cognitive disabilities an opportunity to experience the profound physical and mental benefits of rowing.

“Winning Home’s grant makes an impact on the lives of teens with disabilities,” said Jennifer Fitz-Roy, Manager of Para and Military Programs at CRI. “Rowing is a highly adaptive sport. With the right equipment and expertise, nearly anyone can get on the rowing ergometer or out on the water and experience the sport of rowing. Whether our young athletes want to row recreationally or have Paralympic aspirations, CRI coaches meet them where they are and help them achieve their goals.”

The grant will be used to support the fabrication and purchase of specialized equipment. While rowing is incredibly adaptive, innovative thinking and design is necessary to adjust equipment to an individual’s needs. There is a huge amount of customization behind the engineering. Some adaptive rowers use a fixed seat to row only with their upper body, while others use a regular sliding seat and may row with modifications to help stabilize their lower body or grip the oar handle, for example.

Each of these adjustments is crucial in creating an opportunity for rowers with disabilities.

“It’s about rowing, but it’s also about resilience and keeping our community intact,” said Ted Benford, Executive Director of CRI. “The recent increase in the spread of covid-19 and its variants reminds us that safety comes first and that community connection is necessary in the face of isolation. Community Rowing continues to be a safe space for everyone, in more ways than one.”

This program gives participants the opportunity to learn a new skill, be a part of a supportive team environment, challenge themselves, improve physical fitness and strength, and build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem.

“Winning Home is pleased to continue supporting Community Rowing because of their innovation and dedication to providing a quality recreational experience to children with disabilities in their Para Rowing Program,” said Albert Curran, Treasurer/Director of Winning Home, Inc.

This grant marks the third consecutive year Community Rowing has been awarded a grant by Winning Home. CRI’s youth para and adaptive rowing program partners with schools and hospitals in the area for field trips and practices under certified coaches.

CRI is a three-time recipient of USRowing Club of the Year award and 2015 USOC Rings of Gold award.

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Community Rowing Inc. (CRI) was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the belief that the sport of rowing provides unique opportunities to promote personal and community growth through teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness. We invite individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and experience to grow through rowing.