Special Olympics BC Youth Enagement Project

The third Special Olympics BC Youth Engagement Project is getting underway! In 2021-22, SOBC will be gratefully collaborating with young changemakers ages 16 to 29 to increase inclusion and respect for people with intellectual disabilities in communities across B.C.

Participants create resources, support, and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities throughout the province. Their sport and awareness initiatives build many positive benefits in their communities and province-wide.

The SOBC Youth Engagement Project is generously funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps program.

The 2021-22 participants came together virtually in late July for a kickoff summit. They brainstormed their projects and learned from previous projects. They also heard motivating remarks by SOBC Athlete Input Council members Vincent Li and Susan Wang, and by Special Olympics Canada Champions Network member Michelle Salt, a two-time Paralympian and inspiring storyteller.

Throughout fall 2021, Youth Engagement Project members are rocking their 10-week community project management training course. From November 2021 to March 2022, they will work with the support of SOBC to implement their projects. Each project will tackle one of three themes: inclusive schools, physical literacy, or nutrition literacy.

A warm and grateful welcome to the 2021-22 Youth Engagement Project participants:

Abhisek Nair

Burnaby

Adora Wong

Okanagan

Alannah Ford

Victoria

Andrea Jones

Vancouver

Angela Yang

Vancouver

Austin Cho

Port Moody

Brett Caswell

Vancouver

Cedric Iyumva

Surrey

Daniel McClement

Vancouver

Janko Vong

Coquitlam

Jashan Sandhar

Delta

Jo So

Victoria

Lauren Caswell

Vancouver

Olivia Sullivan

Vancouver

Rachel Dong

Vancouver

Rojella Santos

Maple Ridge

Veronika Kitzul

Radium Hot Springs

Zach Lidder

Surrey

In the 2020-21 Youth Engagement Project, McClement created an outstanding nutrition literacy initiative called SOBC Chefs. The program helped participants make healthier food choices, prepare meals for themselves, and gain the necessary skills to follow a healthy diet, all in a fun and interactive way. 

“Our goal was to make an engaging, COVID-friendly culinary course accessible for people with intellectual disabilities. … It was a fun activity for the athletes. It was great seeing their smiling faces when they received their boxes. I think it was a unique experience for them.”

-Daniel McClement

Stay tuned for more news from the 2021-22 Youth Engagement Project!

Check out the SOBC Chefs recipes and videos 

Find more resources and stories from the Youth Engagement Project 

Youth Engagement Project 2021-22 participants on a video call
Several of the 2021-22 Youth Engagement Project participants and supporters pictured during this year's kickoff summit.