Olympic Games A Victory for All!
Syndie Leonard-Hamm awards the trophy for best Victory Banner to Michael who participates at WellLife's Astoria Station Day Habilitation "All Stars".
At WellLife Victory Olympic Games "Everyone is a Winner"
"This day was great - look at my medal," exclaimed Richard, who proudly displayed the Olympic medallion he had won at the softball throw competition. This day of wellness took place at the WellLife Network's inaugural Victory Olympic Games. Some 100 participants from WellLife's Day Habilitation programs gathered at Forest Park in Queens to enjoy a day dedicated to developing their physical fitness and experiencing the joys of success! The activities included walks, races, softball and discus throws, bean bag tosses, and a proud display of each program's hand-painted Victory banners.
Building Confidence and Empowerment
This one-day event was created and organized by Syndie Leonard-Hamm, Program Site Director. She designed the event to assist Day Habilitation participants in realizing their innate abilities. "Through sports and wellness activities, WellLife opens their world with acceptance and understanding," said Syndie. "Every person is included and welcomed, regardless of ability or life challenge. As a result of their accomplishments today, we hope that each participant becomes more confident, invigorated, and empowered".
A Dedicated Staff Made this Day a Reality
Syndie received the support of dedicated staff from all of the WellLife Day Habilitation programs, who worked tirelessly to bring this event to reality.
"At the WellLife Victory Games, everyone is a winner!, stated Nadia Hrvatin, Vice President, Developmental Disabilities. "This is truly a Victory event for participants and staff."
In addition to the medals and trophies, each attendee received a certificate of achievement. The mission of the Victory Olympics is to provide WellLife’s participants with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, reveal their courage, experience the joys of success, and participate in sharing skills and friendships with their family and friends.
Julie's smile says it all as she rolls her way to first place in the wheelchair competition, bringing victory to the Ann Mittasch Day Hab Tigers.
Day Habilitation Services
WellLife's Day Habilitation (with and without walls) programs, located throughout Queens and Brooklyn, offer a safe and nurturing environment where all participants feel a sense of belonging to a larger community. These services are provided to individuals who live in residential settings, by themselves or with family. The programs include purposeful and meaningful activities designed to foster the acquisition of skills, appropriate behavior, greater independence, and personal choice.
Individuals are provided with the specific skills training needed, ranging from personal grooming and meal preparation to assistance with medication administration (walled programs only) and housekeeping, support for independence in travel, transportation, and development of social skills, leisure skills, self-advocacy, informed choice skills, and more.
For more information about WellLife Network's day habilitation, residential, and entitlement services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, please visit our website by clicking the link below.
