2021-2022 Adaptive Newsletter: Winter

Winter 2021-2022

December-February

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Nevada Department of Veterans Services Receives Grant Award to Support Adaptive Sports Programs The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved a grant request by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) for $31,495 to support adaptive sports programs in the Cities of Reno and Las Vegas. The funding will benefit disabled veterans and military members in those communities, where the grant will be used to fund a variety of adaptive sports programs.

The grant will be divided as follows: • $20,595 for the “Military Sports Camp” provided by the City of Reno • $8,075 for adaptive programs at gyms, pools, sports facilities, fitness and gardening classes provided by the City of Las Vegas • $1,200 for an Adaptive Archery Program provided by the City of Las Vegas • $850 for aquatic therapy provided by the City of Las Vegas • $750 for one-on-one adaptive swim lessons provided by the City of Las Vegas

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The City of Reno’s “Military Sports Camp” provides a variety of recreational activities including adaptive bowling, water skiing, archery, water sports, sled hockey, wheelchair rugby, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The City of Reno also received a VA Adaptive Sports Grant for the “Fit but Not Forgotten” program, which offers weekly fitness opportunities for disabled veterans and disabled members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

April Wolfe, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for the City of Reno said, “The City of Reno is once again honored to receive the VA Adaptive Sports Grant and serve our area veterans through the ‘Fit but not Forgotten’ and ‘Military Sports Camp’ programs.

Sports and Recreation have a valuable place in everyone’s life and especially in our veteran’s community.”

Disabled veterans and military members in the City of Las Vegas also have a variety of adaptive recreational choices.

“Each year, NDVS has made it a priority to seek VA funding for adaptive sports programs and we have become very successful in obtaining these federal dollars,” said Kat Miller, NDVS Director.

“Sports and other competitive

Adaptive Connect is made possible by Renown

Inclusion/Adaptive Recreation Staff

If you have an event or activity that you would like posted in the next publication of Adaptive Connect, Please Contact April Wolfe at: 1301 Valley Rd, Reno, NV 89512 Phone: 775-333-7765 Fax: 775-321-8338 WolfeA@Reno.Gov Next Deadline is January 21, 2022

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist April Wolfe 775-333-7765 Inclusion/Behavior Specialist Alex Nieto 775-657-4659 Adaptive Technicians Breana Horvath 775-657-4661 William Meacham

Registration, Schedules or Information: April Wolfe (775) 333-7765 | WolfeA@Reno.Gov

activities serve as a complement to recovery and management of service-connected medical and mental health conditions. We are proud to support the efforts of the Cities of Las Vegas and Reno with their important adaptive sports programs.

Nationwide, the VA announced it awarded nearly $15 million to 119 national, regional and community programs in 37 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Programs funded through these grants will offer adaptive sports activities to more than 13,000 veterans and members of the U.S. Armed forces with disabilities.

About the Nevada Department of Veterans Services (NDVS) NDVS is dedicated to helping Nevada veterans obtain the services and benefits they have earned through military service. In addition to offering benefits counseling and assistance, which includes assistance with filing VA claims at no cost, NDVS manages the Northern and Southern Nevada State Veterans Homes and the Northern and Southern Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. To learn more about NDVS programs or services visit www.veterans.nv.gov and follow us on Twitter @NVDeptVeterans and on Facebook @NevadaDepartmentofVeteransServices

Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are a vital part of the City of Reno Inclusion/Adaptive Recreation program. Volunteers will gain rewarding experiences through assisting Parks and Recreation staff with a variety of programs or providing additional support for participants. We are currently seeking volunteers for our upcoming programs!

SPORTS

Wheelchair Rugby

Sled Hockey

August-April Saturday 12-3pm | Fee: $50 EMNECC - 1301 Valley Road

October-April Sundays 11am-12pm | Fee: $50 Reno Ice - 15500 Wedge Parkway

Wheelchair or Quad Rugby is a fast paced and competitive sport for individuals with physical disabilities that affect all four extremities.

Players use special “Rugby Wheelchairs” to play the sport. These chairs are very maneuverable and can take a hit or two. Rugby players must be able to push their own wheelchairs.

Participants with physical disabilities will get a chance to learn about sled hockey and get on the ice. All equipment and on-ice instruction provided. Please wear long pants and closed toed shoes. No prior experience necessary.

Wheelchair Basketball

Reservations for our winter snowsports lessons are open! To book your spot, visit our sign-up page and follow the listed steps.

If you have any questions or need assistance making a reservation, contact us at (530) 581-4161 ext. 6 or info@achievetahoe.org.

August-April Fridays 6-8pm | Fee: $50 EMNECC - 1301 Valley Road Are you interested in the extreme challenge of wheelchair basketball?

Wheelchair basketball is a sport for everyone - people who use wheelchairs for mobility and people who don’t.

Sign-Up for Snowsports with Achieve Tahoe

Achieve Tahoe Gala: February 5, 2022 Tickets: $250 | Table for 10: $2,500 Brush off your formal wear and get ready for a night of good food and fun to help build health, confidence, and independence in children and adult’s with disabilities.

Sky Tavern Adaptive Ski Program SkyTavern.org/Adaptive-SkiProgram.html What?—Adaptive Ski Program for children 4+ with physical and mental disabilities Sky Tavern offers an adaptive ski school for children with physical and mental disabilities. Specially trained staff is available to help these kids experience the thrill of winter sports.

Participation in a safe environment empowers those who in turn gain confidence for outdoor recreation.

“There has never been a kid that they could not get out on the snow.”

Sky Tavern specially trained staff offer personalized instruction helping to build a love for the sport.

Sky Tavern is determined to making their facility as adaptive-friendly as possible which in turn enriches everyone’s experience. These kids are an inspiration to everyone on the mountain. Register for the 2021/2022 season now!

Reno.Gov/Adaptive | Adaptive Connect: Winter 2021-2022

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SOCIAL PROGRAMS

City of Sparks Parks and Recreation For the following programs call Shauna before each event to confirm dates, times and fees.

(775) 353-7815 ShNelson@CityofSparks.us RecInfo@CityofSparks.us

Arts and Crafts Class Thursdays 3-4pm | Fee: Free Larry D. Johnson Community Center - 1200 12th St. We’ve teamed up with Arts for all Nevada to provide Weekly Wonders. Participants (16 yrs or older) will develop their artistic abilities through a variety of fun projects. Reservations required.

Bowling Wednesdays 2:45pm Coconut Bowl | Fee: $2 per game Bring your friends and come out to practice your game and have a great time too. We keep track of scores to average for the Special Olympics tournaments. No preregistration necessary.

Note-able Music Therapy Services Note-Able.org Note-Able Music Therapy Services is a nonprofit organization with a primary purpose of providing inclusive music programs and music therapy services for children and adults of all ages and disabilities. Our mission is to create lasting change in the lives of people of all abilities through music.

For more information contact Manal Toppozada at (775) 324-5521.

Sibshops Saturday, December 4 10am-1pm Reno Fire Department Station 11 - 7105 Mae Anne Ave. Sibshops are recreation-based peer support groups for kids ages 8-13 who have a brother or sister witha developmental disability, special health care needs, or mental health concerns. At Sibshops we play some boistereous games, play some interactive quiet games, make a craft and have a yummy lunch!

Dance for All City of Reno and City of Sparks collaborate for a new dance series for teens and adults with Special Needs.

Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Dinner and Dance Friday, December 10 5-8pm Sparks Parks and Rec Gym - 98 Richards Way Fee: $5 per person, advanced ticket purchase required - MASK ARE REQUIRED You are cordially invited to our Christmas dinner and dance! Dinner is served 5-6pm and dance 6-8pm.

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Registration, Schedules or Information: April Wolfe (775) 333-7765 | WolfeA@Reno.Gov

RESOURCES

Renown Rehabilitation Hospital Renown Rehabilitation Hospital provides a full range of rehabilitation services for these conditions: brain injury, stroke/neurological diagnoses, spinal cord injury, fractures, joint replacements, multiple trauma, cancer, Parkinson’s and movement disorders, heart and lung disorders, amputation, and worker’s compensation injuries. At Renown, patient outcomes exceed national benchmarks, thanks to the team of rehab specialists.

Lunch and Learn Every 3rd Wednesday 11:30am-1pm of each month | Meeting Virtually & EMNECC - 1301 Valley Road Please join City of Reno, VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare system, Renown Health, and High Fives Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury/ Disease specific resources, topics, and guest speakers during our monthly communitybased luncheons.

Tahoe Ability Program The Tahoe Ability Program is a non-profit community integration program for adults with developmental disabilities. This program is designed to create inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, foster independence, promote progress within our community, encourage self-advancement and assistance in reaching goals.

For more information visit: TahoeAbility.org

Chive Charities Chive Charities specializes in helping our recipients with medically-related items and therapy not covered by insurance. We do not assist with past medical bills, funeral costs, lost family income due to disability or death in the family.

Since our inception in 2012, Veterans have been a bedrock part of the Chive Charities recipient family. With over $3 million in support awarded to over 100 veterans from every military branch, the commitment to our nation’s heroes remains steadfast. Whether it’s purchasing a service dog for a former marine or completing an accessible home renovation for a retired soldier, we specialize in providing items that improve quality of life for veterans.

To apply visit: ChiveCharities.org/Outreach/ Veterans Reno.Gov/Adaptive | Adaptive Connect: Winter 2021-2022

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WINTER 2022

JAN 23-28

Operation Mountain Freedom Military Sports Camp If I can do this, I can do anything!

Join us for an incredible mountain experience featuring challenging adaptive sports and educational workshops designed to help you thrive.

Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, biathlon training, snowboarding, and more!

Space is limited, apply today!

Proof of vaccination required for all camp participants.

Enhance your ability to make successful transitions by honing skills such as goal setting, financial literacy, communication, and time management from professionals.

For more Information: Contact Maggie Palchak at 760.934.0791 or mpalchak@DisabledSportsEasternSierra.org www.DisabledSportsEasternSierra.org

This camp was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of Disabled Sports

Sierra and doSchedules not necessarily reflect thoseApril of theWolfe United(775) States Department of Veterans Affairs.This camp made possible in part through support of the Craig H. Neilsen or Information: 333-7765 | WolfeA@Reno.Gov 6EasternRegistration, Foundation. The CHNF supports individuals with SCIs. In partnership with Inyo National Forest.

VETERANS

Project Hero City of Reno ProjectHero.Org Founded in 2008, Project Hero is a groundbreaking national non-profit organization dedicated to helping Veterans and First Responders affected by PTSD, TBI and injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives and increasing awareness to combat the national mental health emergency posed by PTSD and TBI. For our weekly ride/event schedule follow us on Facebook at Project HERO Hub City of Reno.

Fit But Not Forgotten Thursday 12-1pm & 5:30-6:30pm Friday 10-11am EMNECC - 1301 Valley Rd. The City of Reno is offering our disabled veterans weekly fitness classes in our facility weight room.

Classes will cover orientation to equipment, assessment of fitness level, proper technique to develop strength, endurance and flexibility, and discuss fitness goals. Upon completion of our four classes participants will be eligible for a FREE all inclusive facility membership good for one year.

The Fit but not Forgotten pass is valid for 1 year from the time of issue. It will be renewed under the following circumstances: pass usage (must be active in the last 30 days) and continued grant funding from the VA. If there is a lapse in the pass, then the Veteran is required to complete a one hour refresher that is offered.

Veterans K-9 Corps The Veterans K-9 Corps is a free peer support dog training program brining you and your dog together with nine other veterans for friendship, fun and of course, dog training. Participants meet at the Truckee meadows Dog Training Center and local parks during the 10week course to prepare their dog for the Canine Good Citizen test. *All must abide by COVID-19 restrictions. Dog’s up-to-date shot record required.

For class dates and registration, contact NDVS Outreach Officer Eduardo Martinez MartinezE@ Veterans.NV.gov

Heroes for Heroes Heroes for Heroes is a mutual social support program that serves to foster new friendships in the community between veterans and their supporters. The Nevada Department of Veterans Services, along with the NEST Collaborative, are looking for volunteers interested in listening to the untold stories of Nevada’s heroes, engage with and learn about each other’s experiences. These connections are made virtually.

Questions or to volunteer contact Rachel Jelenic at JelenicR@ Veterans.NV.gov or (755) 825-9849.

Nevada Paralyzed Veterans of America NevadaPVA.org This program is dedicated to improving the quality of life for veterans and our disabled community with spinal cord injury or dysfunction. Nevada PVA offers an active sports and recreation program for our members, and the disabled in our community. This organization sponsors programs in Northern Nevada that provides health benefits, support, opportunity and camaraderie for all involved.

Reno.Gov/Adaptive | Adaptive Connect: Winter 2021-2022

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2022 PARALYMPIC SPORT CALENDAR

WINTER

SUMMER

OPERATION MOUNTAIN FREEDOM A camp for wounded warriors

OPERATION HIGH ALTITUDE A camp for wounded warriors

NORDIC SKI & RACE CAMP

SIERRA CYCLE CHALLENGE

ALPINE SKI & RACE CAMP

PEDAL~PADDLE

BIATHLON CAMP

MAMMOTH GRAN FONDO

MONO SKI MADNESS

NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE CAMP

January 23-28

February 10-13 March 2-6

March 15-20 April 1-3

June 5-10

July 25-31

August 12-14

September 10

August 28-September 2

Ongoing daily lessons by reservation! 760.934.0791

info@disabledsportseasternsierra.org | www.disabledsportseasternsierra.org

This camp was funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.This camp made possible in part through support of the Craig H. Neilsen The CHNF supports or individuals with SCIs. partnership with Inyo National Forest.

Registration, Schedules Information: AprilInWolfe (775) 333-7765 | WolfeA@Reno.Gov 8Foundation.