ATHLETES SERVING ATHLETES INC
“Together We Finish!”
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Youth and adults with disabilities face many challenges, both physical and emotional, and this population is chronically underserved. Individual with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular physical activity than those without. Not surprisingly, obesity rates are significantly higher compared to individuals without disabilities. The costs of participating in athletic events is much higher for those with disabilities and include adaptive sports equipment and wheelchair accessible vehicles large enough to transport equipment. These individuals also face social barriers to participating in mainstream physical activities where others might make them feel different or inferior. Studies show that physical disability has a profound effect on individuals’ quality of life, social intercourse and emotional well-being, and the loneliness of those with physical disabilities differs significantly from that of the general population.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
WingMan Program
The ASA WingMan program connects youth and adults with disabilities (ASA Athletes) to able-bodied volunteers (WingMen/WingWomen) who provide encouragement and physical support to help the ASA Athlete experience the joy and thrill of participation. ASA Athletes in the program feel loved and accepted in a poignant way that boosts their self-esteem and enthusiasm for life. In turn, they inspire everyone around them. ASA Athletes are touching people’s lives and breaking down the barriers of ignorance around disabilities. In this way, the WingMan program not only benefits the individuals involved, but also the larger community.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
ASA’s mission is to elevate the quality of life for individuals with limited to no mobility (ASA Athletes) by empowering them to train and participate in mainstream running events, including 5Ks, 10K, marathons, and triathlons. Athletic activity serves as a catalyst for personal development- improving physical fitness, increasing self-esteem, and empowering challenged youth and adults to meet their highest potential. We strive to create a safe, authentic community that celebrates diversity and fosters healthy relationships. The ASA WingMan Program is provided free of charge to the ASA Athletes and families we serve.
ASA Athletes train and race with the support and mentorship of able-bodied, volunteer teammate/mentors called WingMen/WingWomen. According to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, one-on-one mentoring supports the development of social skills, improves self-esteem, and increases self-confidence. Our experience confirms this.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Individuals with disabilities are generally relegated to the sidelines. ASA makes it possible for them to participate fully – as athletes – even if their feet never touch the ground. Sitting in a racing chair, propelled by an able-bodied WingMan (able-bodied volunteer), is far more challenging than it may appear. Racing teams train rigorously, and the races themselves can be as grueling (and satisfying) for the ASA Athlete in the chair as it is for the runner pushing it. We have witnessed time and time again that the level of mental and physical well-being among our ASA Athletes goes up after they start training and racing.
ASA provides everything that ASA Athletes need at no cost, including: specialized racing equipment; transportation for athletes and equipment; racing fees; and uniforms. We are headquartered in Lutherville, Maryland and support local ASA groups throughout Maryland and Central Pennsylvania.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
ASA depends on a small staff and large number of volunteers to achieve our goals:
STAFF: ASA has 4 full time staff and 3 part-time staff, who oversee all aspects of the organization.
BOARD: ASA's Board of Directors promotes ASA’s work and contributes significantly to our fundraising efforts.
WINGMEN/WINGWOMEN: ASA relies on hundreds of able-bodied volunteers who train and race with our ASA Athletes. These volunteers become team mates, mentors, and friends.
LOCAL ASA Communities: ASA has been able to expand across Maryland and into Central Pennsylvania because of the extraordinary efforts of volunteers who organize and lead local ASA racing groups.
VOLUNTEERS: Hundreds of additional volunteers turn out on race days to support our racing teams and serve as ASA ambassadors, talking with spectators and racers about our mission and distributing information about the organization.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Since 2007, ASA has grown from a grassroots group to an organization of over 750 staff and volunteers who serve well over a 100 athletes with disabilities each year. Our goal is to continue this growth, increasing the number of individuals who participate and the number of geographic areas that have local ASA racing groups.
As ASA has grown in numbers, we have also grown in prominence. In 2016, an ASA team participated in the Boston Marathon for the first time. And in 2017, another team competed in the IronMan 70.3 Boulder (Colorado) Triathlon. ASA’s goal is to increase our visibility through participation in elite events. This not only creates excitement within the organization, it helps to raise awareness of how much individuals with disabilities can accomplish.
It is hard to quantify the joy ASA Athletes experience as part of the WingMan program, so we invite you to visit our social media profiles and watch these videos:
https://vimeo.com/208319854
https://vimeo.com/2007
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
ATHLETES SERVING ATHLETES INC
Board of directorsas of 07/21/2018
Stephen Moritz
Unisys
Term: 2012 -
Kevin McNulty
Resource Enterprises Inc.
Term: 2012 -
Rob Gensler
T. Rowe Price
Dr. Laura Harlan
Northwest Hospital
Kristine Howanski
Law Offices of Kristine Howanski
Kevin McNulty
Resource Enterprises Inc.
Geoff Miller
Goucher College
Mark Monahan
Source Link
Stephen Moritz
Unisys Corporation
Bill Wiedel
CFG Community Bank
Jim Bishop
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Mark Bomse
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Steven Book
Kramon & Graham, P.A.
P. J. Boyle
Base One Technologies
Melissa Goldmeier
Howard County Office of Law
Justin Huovinen
SC&H Group, LLC
Trent Pawsey
McCormick and Company