A.B.L.E. Youth, Inc.
Programs
Budget
$3,231.00
Description
Many of our activities are appropriate for children ages 3-7. The Tiny Tots Program gives young children in wheelchairs the opportunity to participate in Super Sports Saturdays, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, and Cheerleading. Our youngest participants learn basics of life from the wheelchair such as wheelchair movement, dressing, and socialization with other children.
Program Areas Served
None
$3,231.00
Description
Many of our activities are appropriate for children ages 3-7. The Tiny Tots Program gives young children in wheelchairs the opportunity to participate in Super Sports Saturdays, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Tennis, and Cheerleading. Our youngest participants learn basics of life from the wheelchair such as wheelchair movement, dressing, and socialization with other children.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$500.00
Description
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides a scholarship fund for A.B.L.E. Youth to attend college. One scholarship is given each year thanks to the generosity of John E. Mayfield.
Program Areas Served
None
$500.00
Description
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides a scholarship fund for A.B.L.E. Youth to attend college. One scholarship is given each year thanks to the generosity of John E. Mayfield.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$11,714.00
Description
"It gives me joy to see my daughter blossoming and growing into an independent woman. The program has been such a blessing to me, too. I have made many wonderful friends, it's like an extended family! It is so nice to have other parents with similar issues to network with." (V. P. - parent) Each year in the fall, students get the opportunity to spend three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) at Independence Weekend, available to kids ages 10 and up. It offers an intense three days of activities designed to build independent living skills. Areas that are covered include dressing/undressing; transferring from the wheelchair to the couch, bed, shower, car, etc.; bowel and bladder routines including the importance of it and reasons to be sterile; cooking meals and cleaning up; driving; working together to accomplish difficult tasks, such as moving a large table; and maneuvering chairs through grass, gravel, and up and down grassy slope.
Program Areas Served
None
$11,714.00
Description
"It gives me joy to see my daughter blossoming and growing into an independent woman. The program has been such a blessing to me, too. I have made many wonderful friends, it's like an extended family! It is so nice to have other parents with similar issues to network with." (V. P. - parent) Each year in the fall, students get the opportunity to spend three days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) at Independence Weekend, available to kids ages 10 and up. It offers an intense three days of activities designed to build independent living skills. Areas that are covered include dressing/undressing; transferring from the wheelchair to the couch, bed, shower, car, etc.; bowel and bladder routines including the importance of it and reasons to be sterile; cooking meals and cleaning up; driving; working together to accomplish difficult tasks, such as moving a large table; and maneuvering chairs through grass, gravel, and up and down grassy slope.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$6,521.00
Description
"I get to play sports - basketball, tennis, swimming - with kids like me. The program has helped me to believe I am not the only kid like me." (C. S. - youth) One Saturday each month, youth (ages 3-22) attend "Super Sports Saturday". Divided into age groups, youth participate in a variety of activities that focus on mobility and hand/eye coordination. These include moving their wheelchairs through obstacle courses both forward and backwards, popping and holding a "wheelie" in their chair (an important skill for going up and down stairs or curbs), and bounce passing and chest passing a basketball back and forth. Youth learn how to pick up a ball by using the wheel of their chair and how to carry items in their lap while moving their chair. These activities help improve mobility and help students pay attention, listen, and follow directions. Super Sports Saturday is an opportunity for these children to develop a social network of peers that are also in wheelchairs.
Program Areas Served
None
$6,521.00
Description
"I get to play sports - basketball, tennis, swimming - with kids like me. The program has helped me to believe I am not the only kid like me." (C. S. - youth) One Saturday each month, youth (ages 3-22) attend "Super Sports Saturday". Divided into age groups, youth participate in a variety of activities that focus on mobility and hand/eye coordination. These include moving their wheelchairs through obstacle courses both forward and backwards, popping and holding a "wheelie" in their chair (an important skill for going up and down stairs or curbs), and bounce passing and chest passing a basketball back and forth. Youth learn how to pick up a ball by using the wheel of their chair and how to carry items in their lap while moving their chair. These activities help improve mobility and help students pay attention, listen, and follow directions. Super Sports Saturday is an opportunity for these children to develop a social network of peers that are also in wheelchairs.
Program Areas Served
None
Budget
$32,000.00
Description
This program gives children and youth (ages 3-22) the opportunity to participate in recreational activities that wouldn't otherwise be available to them. It is the only program of its type available to youth within a 2-3 hour radius of Nashville. It is a unique approach to teaching wheelchair using children independence through sports and fitness activities. Wheelchair basketball begins at the end of August and goes through March. The team meets once a week to practice and play games. Youth play in approximately five tournaments each year. Throughout the year, we participate in Achilles Kids. Our kids complete a Virtual Marathon both at A.B.L.E. Youth events and in their schools and communities. We also participate in local races with the Achilles International Nashville chapter. Kids have the opportunity to earl prizes as they complete their miles. During the summer months of June, July, and August, tennis lessons are offered. Also during the summer, youth get four opportunities to water ski. Other sports activities offered throughout the year include cheerleading, snow skiing, and deep sea fishing.
Program Areas Served
None
$32,000.00
Description
This program gives children and youth (ages 3-22) the opportunity to participate in recreational activities that wouldn't otherwise be available to them. It is the only program of its type available to youth within a 2-3 hour radius of Nashville. It is a unique approach to teaching wheelchair using children independence through sports and fitness activities. Wheelchair basketball begins at the end of August and goes through March. The team meets once a week to practice and play games. Youth play in approximately five tournaments each year. Throughout the year, we participate in Achilles Kids. Our kids complete a Virtual Marathon both at A.B.L.E. Youth events and in their schools and communities. We also participate in local races with the Achilles International Nashville chapter. Kids have the opportunity to earl prizes as they complete their miles. During the summer months of June, July, and August, tennis lessons are offered. Also during the summer, youth get four opportunities to water ski. Other sports activities offered throughout the year include cheerleading, snow skiing, and deep sea fishing.
Program Areas Served
None
CEO/Executive Director/Board Comments
| The A.B.L.E. Youth program is growing and thriving in all areas. Our tiny tot children (ages 3-8) are learning all about wheelchair mobility, dressing and overall independence. The parents of our tiny tots are learning the difficult lesson of allowing their children to try, fail and try again until the task is completed. We are hoping to incorporate the younger children in more outside activities such as outings to the Adventure Science Center, puppet plays, and park visits to include the entire family. Our 'big kids' (ages 9-high school graduation) are showing remarkable signs of independence in all areas of their daily living activities. From navigating life in their chairs to self care to chores at home, our kids are doing many activities independently. We have kids who are driving themselves to high school. As our kids have gotten more experience in wheelchair racing, we now have kids who are looking to pursue this sport in college. We now have dozens of graduates in college and in the workforce who come back and serve as role models to our students. The 'biggest kids' (high school graduates-22 or college graduation) continue to hold down full-time jobs or attend college classes seeking a degree in their chosen field of interest. One of our program graduates played wheelchair basketball on the National Champion University of Texas Arlington womens' team. None of this would be possible without our financial donors, and our volunteers. Volunteers from various high schools and surrounding colleges have been a big reason we are continuing to grow. We have formed close relationships with Belmont University Physical and Occupational Therapy students, as well as Vanderbilt University and TSU, which has turned into a win-win situation for all involved. The students get hands-on experience working with our children, and we get volunteers to help with programs and events! |
