Local Programs

Are you looking for a way to play sports, be inspired or have an impact in your community? Special Olympics Programs change lives and bring people together.  There are many things you can do right in your local community. 

Volunteer opportunities in the local programs include:

Coach—

Remember the mentor, teacher or coach who made that difference in your life? The one who gave you the courage and determination to strive to be your best. The one who helped shape both your performance and your character. You can be that important figure in someone else’s life.

Coaches are a critical component of Special Olympics’ work. A coach is a key figure in an athlete’s life, providing the sports skills and spirit that define a true athlete. Coaches serve as role models and character builders, giving Special Olympics athletes awareness of their worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve. Special Olympics coaches also have a direct impact on athletes’ lives by helping them acquire skills that can influence their abilities to obtain employment, succeed in school and achieve personal goals.

Volunteer coaches come from all walks of life and backgrounds and don’t need any prior experience – we provide the necessary training and resources.  The time commitment for a coach is approximately one to two hours per week for eight to 10 weeks, plus one to two days at a sports competition during a sports season.

Click here for more details about being a coach.     Link to coach page.

Unified Partner—

Those looking for real, on-the-field action can 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. There is no better way to truly experience Special Olympics than playing alongside the athletes.

 Local Programs—

Contribute your unique skills to make our programs in your local community run smoothly. Local volunteers register athletes, plan events, arrange transportation, recruit new volunteers and sponsors, manage websites, take pictures, publicize activities, answer phones and e-mail, and much more. Every volunteer role is vital to running a successful Special Olympics competition and making the athlete’s dream a reality. 

Contact the Local Program in your Community —

In order to participate as a coach, unified partner or help your local program in other ways … you need to contact the local program in your area.