Blast from the Past: CAA's Special Olympics 2015

Since the beginning, Center for All Abilities (CAA) has been driven by a heartfelt mission: to help families with children with special needs build a thriving, supportive community for both parents and kids, especially amongst Chinese immigrant families NYC, where there have been significant service gaps.

In 2015, the year CAA was founded, we held our inaugural Special Olympics Field Day. Families participated in a variety of fun, engaging physical activities and contests that sparked a sense of play and camaraderie. Highlights included exciting races like three-legged races and relays, many of which involved both kids and their parents. Kids also enjoyed games around the gym, such as ring toss, kid-friendly archery, basketball shooting, and goal-kicking. The event kept everyone active, engaged, and smiling.

Desmond, a dedicated volunteer at the time and now CAA’s Family & Outreach Coordinator, who also heads our Blue Hat Baking and Barista Training Programs, fondly recalls watching the parents fully embrace the fun, often enjoying the games as much—if not more—than their kids. The experience served as a beautiful reminder of the joy and connection these gatherings inspire.

Phoebe Ho, founder of CAA, highlights that the heart of the Special Olympics Field Day was seeing children from neurodiverse backgrounds express themselves and enjoy activities on their own terms. She notes that many of these children may struggle to compete alongside neurotypical peers in traditional physical environments. Watching the kids succeed and thrive in a space that celebrates their unique strengths is incredibly moving. The joy on the parents’ faces as they witness their children being celebrated is something we all treasure.

9 years on, many of our kids have become teens, and some of us adults have become less nimble. But we’re not backing down in our desire for fun, friendship, and fellowship. That’s why we’re gathering to enjoy a FUNderful Field Day 2024 this fall, on November 23, 2024!

We invite you to join us for our FUNderful Field Day 2024! This event, with both in-person and virtual options to participate, is a fantastic opportunity to connect, celebrate, and make unforgettable memories together, while raising funds to sustain the work of CAA. Don’t miss out on the joy and excitement!