Building Sports and Inclusion Through Special Olympics Young Athletes Program

For Michele Casal, the mission of inclusion is more than something she believes in. It is something her family has experienced firsthand.

Michele, co-founder of Jackie Boy’s Crew Foundation with her husband Tom, was first introduced to ACDS when her 8-year-old son, Jackson, was a student. ACDS is a school in Plainview, NY, that serves children and adults with Down syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities. Jackson, who has Down syndrome, has always had a love for sports, one that Michele and her family saw thrive as a part of a partnership between ACDS and Special Olympics New York.

Inspired by their son’s experiences, Michele and her family established Jackie Boy’s Crew Foundation to create opportunities that enrich the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and promote a more inclusive world. The foundation supports programs that celebrate ability, foster community, and create environments where all individuals can thrive.

The more Michele and her team learned about Special Olympics Young Athletes, an introductory sports program that introduces youth ages 2 to 7 to skills like running, jumping, and throwing, the more it felt like a natural fit.

“We love the idea of Special Olympics Young Athletes as Jackson is very involved in sports,” Michele said. “We wanted a place where he and other individuals with Down syndrome can thrive and just feel included and do great things.”

Through the funds raised at their annual Golf Classic, Jackie Boy’s Crew Foundation funded the opportunity for ACDS students to participate in Special Olympics Young Athletes, helping to bring sports programming to children with disabilities at an important stage in their development.

For students, the experience is about much more than learning how to move, play and participate in sports. It is an opportunity to discover what they can do, build confidence, and begin to see themselves as athletes.

ACDS has been involved with the Young Athletes program since 2025, and Megan Lombardo, Chief Operating Officer of ACDS, says the impact on their entire community has been astounding.

“It is really great exposure for our students,” Lombardo said. “It’s a great introduction to Special Olympics activities so they can move on and continue to play whether their school has a Unified program, or they can be involved in their communities.”

Young Athletes also helps children begin developing skills that can support them as they transition into school-based adaptive physical education and other athletic opportunities.

“It’s a great introduction that helps prepare them for adaptive physical education in a school setting to start to have those skills,” Lombardo said.

Just as importantly, the program gives ACDS staff the tools and support to help their students succeed. Lombardo praised Special Olympics’ training and curriculum for making the activities accessible and easy for staff to incorporate into their programming.

“It’s really incredible for our staff to have that higher-level support from Special Olympics New York and their curriculum,” she said. “It’s broken down so well. It’s really accessible.”

At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief that every child deserves the opportunity to participate, belong and discover their potential.

For Jackson and his family, that belief began with a connection to ACDS. Today, through the generosity of Jackie Boy’s Crew Foundation, that connection is helping open the door for countless other young athletes to experience the joy of sports through Special Olympics.

The partnership between Special Olympics New York, ACDS and Jackie Boy’s Crew Foundation is a reminder of what can happen when a personal passion becomes a shared purpose. Together, these organizations are helping ensure that young athletes have a place where they can feel supported, build confidence and, most importantly, feel that they belong.

“We intend to continue the partnership for the near and far term because we just love working with Special Olympics New York,” Lombardo said. “We love the mission and partnership.”

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