For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA Marketing & Communications
973.822-9622 ext. 2241 
For Immediate Release

Special Olympics at the Madison Area YMCA

(Madison, NJ) February 5, 2016 – The Madison Area YMCA is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Special Olympics of New Jersey to make the Madison Area YMCA facility accessible to athletes and their families.

The program entitles athletes to join the Y at a 50% reduced membership rate with no initiation fee and also provides an opportunity for their families to join at a reduced rate.

33% of people with special needs, under the age of 21, suffer from obesity. And the percentage climbs to 46% over the age of 21. To help combat obesity rates in those with special needs, the program provides year-round opportunities for athletes to stay engaged in healthy activities. Athletes may participate in all health and fitness programs, group exercise, open gym, open swim and nutritional programs.

The Madison Area YMCA’s Super Kids is an exciting program available for children with special needs.

Super Kids Playgroup for toddlers through 11 year olds is a new program. Join us in Kids Central for some time reserved exclusively for children with sensory processing disorders and their families. Children can run, play and interact with one another in a safe place where parents can feel at ease. In-person pre-registration is required. Registration closes 48 hours prior.

The aquatics department offers Sunfish for 3 to 12 year olds, a class designed for children with special needs who require extra attention and may have difficulty working in a group setting. Instructors work one-on-one with swimmers to help them feel comfortable in the water and develop their swimming skills.

The Madison Area YMCA Super Kids program is in partnership with:

• Horizon High School: The Madison Area YMCA has partnered with Horizon High School, a local school for students with multiple disabilities ages 14 to 21. Horizon High School provides volunteer opportunities for students on a weekly basis throughout New Jersey. For more information about the Horizon schools, visit their website at horizonschoolsnj.org
• EPOCH: EPOCH has served children ages 8 to 20 with significant special needs in Madison and neighboring communities in partnership with the Madison Area YMCA for more than 35 years. This unique after-school program offers social and recreational opportunities not readily available to this population. EPOCH is a special place to develop self-confidence, social skills and build new relationships.

Volunteer Aides:  The Madison Area YMCA has a skilled group of volunteers who have experience working with children with special needs.

The Madison Area YMCA is a cause-driven charitable organization that believes that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, should be enriched by the YMCA. For a better you. For a better community. Give for or a better us. 

For more information about the Madison Area YMCA’s  Special Olympics partnership or Super Kids programming, please contact Madison Area YMCA Member Services Associate/Special Needs Coordinator Jenna Zwain at 973.822.9622 x2225.

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