Learn About Us
Special Olympics Oregon believes in the transformative power and pure joy of athletic competition. Every day across the state, we help children and adults with intellectual disabilities become athletes and grow a strong, supportive community of advocates. Through year-round training and serious competition, Special Olympics participants journey along a proven pathway to better health, essential life skills and lifelong friendships.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children, youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Our Vision
Every year, Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 5,000 individual children and adults with intellectual disabilities, the largest disability population in the state. Our programs and services provide our constituents with immense opportunities in life — yet nearly 100,000 more people could still benefit from participating in Special Olympics Oregon programs.
As we grow, Special Olympics Oregon is committed to efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving everyone who qualifies to participate in Special Olympics. Our vision is to help bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given the chance to become useful and productive citizens.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the heart of all that we do at Special Olympics Oregon as we strive to promote unity and create a community where everyone belongs.
We value, celebrate, and support all differences, backgrounds, abilities, and viewpoints. We believe that a focus on greater diversity and inclusion will enrich our organization and our world.
We empower Oregon’s largest disability population.
Special Olympics Oregon helps those with intellectual disabilities become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Each year we serve more than 12,000 people through sports, education and athlete health, helping them achieve on the field and level the playing field of life.
Our sports programs are free to participants and led by volunteers.
Participating in Special Olympics Oregon is always free to the athletes and their families. And with them at the center of everything we do, the commitment of every volunteer, coach, family member and local community makes it all possible. (Find the Local Program near you).
Learn more about our programs
Year-round training and competition in 14 Olympic-style sports, with skills that athletes gain on the playing field carrying directly into their everyday lives
Promoting acceptance and respect through sports with Unified Champion Schools, a unique program for children with and without disabilities in K-12 schools
Resources to help our athletes stay active throughout the year, especially now.
About Our Organization
Special Olympics Oregon is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in the state of Oregon to provide sports training and athletic competition for persons with intellectual disabilities. We raise the majority of funds locally through sponsorships, private donations and special events that support our 30 Local Programs across Oregon.
Special Olympics Oregon is accredited by Special Olympics, Inc. (SOI) and responsible for following the policies and rules established by SOI in the delivery of services in Oregon. It is known as a Program of SOI. A volunteer Board of Directors provides policy decisions and long-range planning for Special Olympics Oregon. The Board employs a staff of people to implement the day-to-day operations.