Opening doors to new beginnings

It feels great to be back. But it also feels great to remember how our athletes and volunteers stood strong and kept our flame alive during the tough times. We thank each and every one of you for helping us to continue to change lives.

Now, we begin a new cycle and we are ready to expand our community. By opening the doors to new people — athletes, coaches and volunteers — we aim to strengthen our work and broaden the impact we have on Ontarians with disabilities. Because more people joining Special Olympics means more inclusion, dignity, respect and acceptance. It also means more smiles.  

Welcome back ... to the future

After all we’ve been through, I believe we can finally say: “we are back.” The challenges we faced during the past years pushed all of us in different directions, but we were certain that if we stayed true to our mission, vision and values we would be able to keep enriching the lives of our athletes, their families and our community through sport. It took resilience, creativity and innovation to overcome these hardships, but in the end, it made us all stronger than ever for what is to come.

Our future, even in this new reality, still holds magnificent things. And I’m glad to say that we are back to the future.

Taje Mohabir
Board Chair

Glenn MacDonell
President & CEO

Diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism statement

Board of Directors Members

Because competition matters

Special Olympics is all about inclusion. That’s why we are so excited that communities across Ontario embraced Hometown Games: a reimagined approach supporting hyper-local sports competitions. Now there are more opportunities for athletes of all skill levels to feel the competitive spirit and share their success with their communities.

Moving forward, we will grow the number of host communities, and encourage different competition formats and a greater variety of sports. We believe it’s the way to make Hometown Games stronger and put them on the calendar of events for cities across Ontario.

After all we’ve been through, I believe we can finally say: “we are back.” The challenges we faced during the past years pushed all

 of us in different directions, but we were certain that if we stayed true to our mission, vision and values we would be able to keep enriching the lives of our athletes, their families and our community through sport. It took resilience, creativity and innovation to overcome these hardships, but in the end, it made us all stronger than ever for what is to come.

Our future, even in this new reality, still holds magnificent things. And I’m glad to say that we are back to the future.

Taje Mohabir
Board Chair

Reach Report

Even though the pandemic dealt us one of the biggest challenges since the beginning of Special Olympics Ontario, in 2022 we are still strong and ready for what is coming. Almost all of our programs have reopened, competitions are back in person, and the number of people involved in the virtual events reminded us of the importance of the organization.

School programs

Establishing a presence in schools and supporting in-house programs that include athletes with intellectual disabilities has been a key focus for Special Olympics Ontario. From a handful of participants in the first year, there are now thousands of members benefiting from school programs. Elementary, Secondary and Post-Secondary students are developing movement, building sports skills and getting prepared for games outside of the School Program.

We also have athletes competing against other schools in their communities, which has grown in popularity. We are ready to exceed that momentum in the coming year.

David Workman, Thunder Bay, Ont.

Stéphane Levere,  Embrun, Ont.

Keeping athletes in shape

Our Healthy @ Home program was developed to support athletes' health during the pandemic and it is still going strong. Every day, our volunteers virtually promote social interaction and create challenges to keep athletes healthy, both physically and mentally.

Healthy @ Home

Healthy Athletes

Away from the screens, Healthy Athletes has returned in person. Through healthcare professionals and university partnerships, Special Olympics athletes can be screened in: general health and wellness, eye health, audiology, dentistry, disease prevention and nutrition, emotional health, physical therapy and podiatry.

35 years carrying the Flame of Hope

In 1987, inspired by the Kansas Chief Richard LaMunyon, Toronto Police Service Constable Lorne White lit the Law Enforcement Torch Run flame for the first time. And no one ever imagined how bright it would shine. The more than $40,000,000 raised for Special Olympics Ontario over the years has helped encourage community engagement and provided lasting friendships to athletes and families, while increasing well-being for Law Enforcement runners.

After 35 years, the LETR evolved and a variety of events were created to keep the flame burning. Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, NHL Alumni Games, Torch Rides, Endurance Series and many others are the reason we have more than 10,000 Guardians of the Flame today.

Community and Volunteer Engagement

Special Olympics Ontario is a strong, solid community, and this is only possible because of our volunteers. We rely 100% on their engagement and willingness to work with us toward our common goals. As coaches, assistants, coordinators, fundraisers, and in many other roles, they get involved to help change lives. More often than not, their own lives change just as much.

While serving the community, working to increase athletes’ social skills and give them a sense of purpose, volunteers are fulfilled by their smiles. This is how we created more than a movement. We created a family. A place where everyone belongs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL LAND

We acknowledge that the Special Olympics Ontario office is located on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.

This land is governed by the Dish With One Spoon covenant between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Confederacy of Ojibway and Allied Nations.

This covenant is an agreement to share, work and protect this land together in harmony.

Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work, live and play on this land.

If we can improve on this statement, please email us at info@specialolympicsontario.com.

2022 Awards

In 1987, inspired by the Kansas Chief Richard LaMunyon, Toronto Police Service Constable Lorne White lit the Law Enforcement of Torch Run flame for the first time.  

And no one ever imagined how bright it would shine. The more than $40,000,000 raised for Special Olympics of Ontario over the years has helped encourage community engagement and provided lasting friendships to athletes and families, while increasing well-being for Law Enforcement runners.

After 35 years, the LETR evolved and a variety of events were created to keep the flame burning. Polar Plunges, Tip-A-Cops, NHL Alumni Games, Torch Rides, Endurance Series and many others are the reason we have more than 26,000 Guardians of the Flame today.

Partners

2022 Impact Report

2022 Impact Report

Hear more from Lorne White

Changing the game and changing lives

The impact on Athletes

A volunteer's perspective

Hear from Coach Kate

Platinum

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Special Recognition

As an organization, Special Olympics Ontario upholds and commits to the values of inclusion and equity, and uses the power of sport to foster social change. We also have an important role to play in the anti-racism movement.

Special Olympics Ontario commits to challenging anti-Black and anti-Indigenous structures, and is committed to anti-racism work within and through our organization and communities. We understand that this work is on-going, requires reflection and a strong resolve, and is absolutely necessary. We recognize that this work is a priority, and that our organization has a vital role in creating a framework for successful anti-racism practices at all levels.

Special Olympics Ontario is committed to learning, unlearning, educating and providing platforms for dialogue to ensure that all our members and future members are given opportunities to succeed. Only then will we reflect the true definition of inclusion.

84.8%
PROGRAM

5.9%
ADMINISTRATION

5.7%
MARKETING

2.0%
FUNDRAISING

1.6%
GAMING

Diamond

Platinum

Community Champions

Gold

Silver

Bronze & Friends

84.8%
PROGRAM

5.9%
ADMINISTRATION

5.7%
MARKETING

2.0%
FUNDRAISING

1.6%
GAMING

Registered Canadian Charitable Number:
11906 8435 RR0001

Copyright © 2022

Registered Canadian Charitable Number:
11906 8435 RR0001

Copyright © 2022

Most of our spending in 2022 (84%) directly supported hundreds of programs across the province. We are truly grateful to all the generous donors and sponsors for their continued support  ... together we are making a difference.
 
The latest filing of Special Olympics Ontario’s T3010 can be found here.

Special Olympics Ontario Financials