NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR DISABLED KIDS TO EXPAND SERVICES TO ST. CHARLES COUNTY

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR DISABLED KIDS TO EXPAND SERVICES TO ST. CHARLES COUNTY

Open House planned for Jan. 29 at St. Dominic High School in O'Fallon, MO
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KEEN St. Louis is a non-profit organization that provides one-to-one sports and recreational opportunities for children and youth age 5-18 with developmental and physical disabilities at no cost to their families and caregivers.  Beginning in 2012, KEEN will expand its services to St. Charles County through a partnership with St. Dominic High School, according to Dave Welborn, Executive Director for KEEN.

"We are extremely excited to be able to expand our services and include more kids into our program," said Welborn,  "The additional site will allow us to better reach a group of kids and their families that may find it difficult to come to St. Louis to participate in our program.  St. Dominic has a beautiful facility and is very eager to get its students and staff involved in the program as volunteers. We can't wait to get started."

Welborn said the sessions initially will be offered once a month on Sunday afternoons but will expand as the need arises. To introduce the program, KEEN is hosting a special "Play and Learn" Open House on Sun., Jan 29 from 1-3 p.m. at St. Dominic. Prospective athletes, volunteers and others are encouraged to come meet the KEEN Staff, volunteers and other KEEN athletes and their families as they learn more about KEEN's programs and see firsthand the facilities at St. Dominic. Participants will have use of KEEN's adaptive equipment in a modified Sports Session. Registration is appreciated. For more information or to RSVP, please email Dave Welborn at dwelborn@keenstlouis.org or call 314-259-5980.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Recruitment of KEEN volunteers "coaches" for its St. Charles County Program is underway. Volunteers must be 16 or older and don't need any prior experience working with individuals with disabilities – KEEN provides training prior to each session.  KEEN’s programs are structured so that each volunteer is assigned one program participant, or “athlete.” A coach’s job is to help athletes take part in different sports activities and to have a good time. Those interested can learn more and register at www.keenstlouis.org.

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