Villages of Lewiston & Youngstown Recreation to Expand Special Olympics NY Basketball Program

Brendan McDermott serves as the Recreation Director for the Village of Lewiston, beginning a partnership with the Village of Youngstown and Special Olympics New York to bring an inclusive, ever-growing basketball program to the Niagara County community.

The idea bloomed from the Village of Lewiston through a strong relationship with the Village of Youngstown, led by Director Jeff Gruarin. Jeff brought the idea of creating a collaborative basketball program through Special Olympics New York to their areas, and the rest was history!

Along with serving as Recreation Director in Lewiston, Brendan’s role as a school counselor at Lewiston-Porter Middle School has allowed him opportunities to work with young people and families in various environments. “I understand how important it is to provide opportunities where all children feel welcomed, supported, and included,” he said.

Brendan and Jeff work regularly with each other to expand different recreational opportunities for both of their communities, so adding an inclusive program with Special Olympics New York felt like a natural extension of their partnership. Jeff has been involved in developing inclusive recreation opportunities for children with sensory needs in Youngstown, while Brendan in Lewiston has a thriving basketball program. Together, they saw an opportunity to combine their resources, experience, and passion for recreation to create something special.

In some areas, the biggest obstacle to athlete participation is as simple as not having a local program close to one’s area. By working together, the two recreation departments were able to bring that opportunity to families in both towns. “Watching the participants enjoy themselves, interact with one another, develop confidence, and celebrate their accomplishments was incredibly rewarding,” said Brendan. “Just as importantly, our staff had an absolute blast throughout the summer. The energy, enthusiasm, and smiles were contagious.”

One of the biggest strengths of the collaborative program was having the right people involved from the beginning. Jeff brought along Sam Castiglione, a certified special education teacher who had valuable experience working in recreation programs for students with disabilities. Brendan and Jeff also worked with Special Olympics New York to become certified coaches, most importantly to ensure they could provide a positive and meaningful experience to every athlete.

“We had participants with and without disabilities playing basketball, learning from one another, and enjoying the experience as a group,” Brendan recalled. “The focus wasn’t just on basketball skills. It was about creating an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome, included, and part of a team.”

For Brendan, the program truly represents what community recreation should be all about. Recreation is more than just providing activities; it’s about creating opportunities and building an environment where everyone has a place to participate. “It was a great reminder that when we focus on what people can do rather than what they cannot, some pretty amazing things can happen,” said Brendan.

The response to the collaborative summer basketball program with Lewiston and Youngstown encouraged Brendan and Jeff to continue building on what they started together. They are currently planning an expansion to their program focusing on a winter sport and are thrilled to provide another opportunity for participants to get involved.

Ultimately, the villages of Lewiston and Youngstown are just getting started. Brendan and Jeff are elated to continue expanding inclusive recreation opportunities and demonstrate what can happen when neighboring communities, dedicated staff, and organizations like Special Olympics New York work together.

“If there is one message I would want people to take away from this experience, it is that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, belong, and experience the joy of recreation,” Brendan encouraged. “Sometimes all it takes is a little collaboration and a willingness to make it happen.”

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