New York, NY -- Special Olympics New York announced the official launch of the New York City Urban Initiative at a reception on Monday, November 13 at the New-York Historical Society in New York City. Timothy P. Shriver, Chairman Special Olympics; Bruce A. Pasternack, President and CEO Special Olympics; Neal J. Johnson, President Special Olympics New York; Daniel Doctoroff, NYC Deputy Mayor; Bart Connor, Olympic Gold Medalist, Sportscaster, Gymnast; Donna de Varona, Olympic Gold Medalist, Sportscaster; Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg Eunice Kennedy Shriv
er, founder; members of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors; and numerous Special Olympics New York athletes, family members and coaches were in attendance to support the initiative.
The New York City Urban Initiative is the first step in Special Olympics’ overall Urban Strategy to create model urban programs that unite government leaders, corporate leaders, entertainers, the cultural communities and our athletes to bring change through Special Olympics. This initiative will bring value to everyone through the New York City community, building on New York’s history of being a diverse cultural center without division.
“Special Olympics athletes are role models of change, helping us all to rethink our perceptions,” said Special Olympics President & CEO Bruce Pasternack. “Expanding Special Olympics in New York City presents some outstanding opportunities for us to use sports as a foundation to continue to unite the New York City community through inclusion and acceptance,” he added.
Michelle Lemay Santiago, Regional Director for the New York City Region acknowledged the reason for New Yorkers to get more involved, saying, “There is an entire Special Olympics family that is the heart and soul of our effort - the thousands of coaches, coordinators and family members who, as volunteers and without any thought for themselves, work tirelessly, while juggling jobs and families, to organize and run athlete training and competitions throughout New York City. They have a passion and conviction and demonstrate how Special Olympics is the greatest movement in the world for building acceptance and erasing lines of divisions. But they need your help.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City, has agreed to lead the Special Olympics New York City Advisory Committee as its Honorary Chairman. Advisory Committee members include: Gerald Adolph, Booz Allen Hamilton; Bart Connor, Olympic Gold Medalist, Sportscaster, Gymnast; Donna de Varona, Olympic Medalist, Sportscaster; Jay Emmett, Redwood Productions; Gary Greenspan, Cushman & Wakefield; Marla Greenspan, Jones Lang Lasalle; Wendy Hilliard, New York City Sport Development Corporation and Sportscaster; Margo MacNabb; and Susan Saint James, 35-year Special Olympics volunteer.
Daniel Doctoroff, NYC Deputy Mayor, speaking on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg said, “I believe that in many ways, New York embodies the spirit of the Olympics….the nations of the world coming together in fair competition. That’s equally true for Special Olympics….Because the story of Special Olympics is in many ways the story of New York. It’s the story of the value of human dignity and inclusion among people with diverse backgrounds, and diverse skills.”
Doctoroff also noted that, “On the day that the Mayor has proclaimed ‘Nation
al PhilanthropyDay in New York’ – it is fitting for us to thank two corporate supporters of this initiative, Goldman Sachs and Starwood.”
Goldman Sachs and Starwood Hotels and Resorts were honored at the event for their on-going and invaluable support of Special Olympics programs and athletes in New York City. As a result of attending the event, numerous city government and corporate leaders will join the advisory committee and become supporters of the Urban Strategy in NYC, including Jim Gold, President and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman; Gale Brewer, NYC City Council Member; Richard Corman, photographer; and Mitsui USA.
Click Here to view some photos of our cultivation event held on November 13th
