Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA) announced that it has received a $25,000 grant from the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, the private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation. DS/USA was among 92 grantees who were awarded over $4.2 million to help children with disabilities and the uninsured. The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grant will be utilized to support Mentoring for Success, a national youth sports mentoring and inclusion program conducted by DS/USA in partnership with 21 of its local community chapters in 13 states.
“This CVS Caremark Charitable Trust grant enables our organization to create opportunities for hundreds of youth with disabilities that encourage them to lead healthier lives through sports,” Kirk Bauer, executive director of DS/USA and a disabled Vietnam veteran said in a press release.
As part of the Mentoring for Success program, youth with disabilities are provided the opportunity to participate in sports and recreation activities in own communities. Active adult mentors are recruited and trained to mentor and encourage youth with disabilities to participate and excel in sports. In addition, DS/USA works with local community parks and recreation and other local organizations to train instructors and provide adaptive equipment necessary to make their programs accessible, thus promoting “inclusive” activities in the community.
“In today’s economic climate it’s more important than ever to support organizations that can have a positive impact on children with disabilities and their families,” Eileen Howard Dunn, vice president, CVS Caremark Charitable Trust said. “The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust selected Disabled Sports USA because its programming aligns with our mission to promote inclusion, increase access to medical therapies and improve academic performance of children with disabilities.”
