Local nonprofit brings sports to children with disabilities

Batter up: KEEN members play baseball together, one of the many activities the organization provides to children and young adults (Courtesy of KEEN)Sports and recreational activities are a right of passage for many children. Some children with disabilities, such as autism or down syndrome, however, don't have the same opportunity to interact and participate in physical activities.

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) is a national nonprofit organization established in 1992 to promote recreational activities for children and young adults with profound disabilities.

"We take every child despite their disability," said Beata Okulska, executive director of KEEN. "The only requirement is to come to the session."

The community-based organization is located in the Washington, D.C., area and is supported by volunteer help. KEEN's mission is to foster self-esteem and confidence of its athletes through non-competitive activities.

Participants in the program usually range in age from 5 to 25 years old, although "unofficially we have a program for those who are over 25 years old," Okulska said. 

At times, many members of KEEN have enjoyed their experience and find it hard to leave the organization. "This is their social life, this is something they've been apart of for 17 or 18 years," she said. "KEEN is something for them to do in their community outside of their close circle of family and friends." 

The activities offered through KEEN are available at no cost to the families and include basketball, swimming, soccer and other recreational sports. "We don't force kids to focus on any specific activity," Okulska said. "It's their own personal fun time." 

Teamwork: KEEN athletes participate in a D.C. United soccer clinic held on the South Lawn of the White House (Courtesy of KEEN)

Non-fundraising events are held throughout the year, such as the KEEN Sports Festival, which celebrates the athletes, their family members and volunteers, Okulsksa said. 

Recently, KEEN athletes also had the opportunity to spend a day at the White House on Oct. 7, with D.C. United soccer players as part of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, she said. During the event, the children interacted with the D.C. United players during a soccer clinic held on the South Lawn.

"The players were wonderful," Okulska said. "They were alert about our kids' disabilities. They were open-minded, patient and encouraging. The famillies were grateful, because this is very important."

KEEN is funded by the support of individual donors and the contributions from two annual fundraisers, like the upcoming "Passport to Paris" event which will be held at the French Embassy, Nov. 5. 

Many nonprofits, including KEEN, face the challenge of raising the necessary funds to support its programs. "Fundraising is hurting because of the economy," Okulska said. Despite the common financial struggle amongst nonprofits, the organization still has a strong volunteer base. 

KEEN volunteers are predominantly young professionals, high school students as well as university and corporate groups, she said. Volunteers go through a screening and monitoring process prior to their involvement with the organization. Experience working with individuals that have disabilities is not required by the organization.

Many of the children involved in KEEN have intellectual disabilities, such as autism. "The majority of the children with autism are on different levels," she said. "It requires a lot of patience from volunteers."

Most of the children have difficulty following directions, Okulska said, but a child that may have been considered aggressive towards people or themselves will not be turned away at KEEN. "We have children who've been rejected from other programs," she said. "We try to find a way to help."

Situations have occurred where children have felt pressured to follow directions at other organizations, and sometimes "KEEN is the last stop," she said.

While many of the disabled participants receive a great deal of enjoyment from the program, the volunteers are also impacted by their experience at KEEN.

"KEEN athletes, they really change the perspective of our volunteers' life," Okulska said. "A smiley face makes a huge difference for people. The value of life is changing."