#IAMNSSRA
Last November, we launched a social media campaign to share the stories of belonging that illustrate the
rich community we have together, using #iamnssra. Each of our stories tells an important piece of the powerful narrative
of NSSRA, and helps our friends and neighbors better understand who we are and why we exist. Below are just a few of the
stories we have loved sharing on our social media feeds over the last few months, and we look forward
to sharing more throughout this year!
Katie J
"I always knew I wanted to be involved
with Special Olympics in some capacity.
I’ve played sports my entire life, and once
I got to college (go Hoosiers!) and I wasn’t
as involved as an athlete anymore, I knew
I wanted to coach. Now, I get to oversee
NSSRA’s Gator Athletics program AND I get
to coach. Our Gators constantly remind
me how influential sports are in our lives.
They are one of my favorite parts about
NSSRA. GO GATORS!" - Katie (Recreation
Specialist for Gator Athletics & Trips) with
Gator Green
Mari
"I've been a buddy at SPICE for about
a year. Some of my friends worked for
NSSRA, so I looked up the program guides
and here I am. I love SPICE! I worked at
Awesome Post Camp over the summer
too. I really love hanging out with new
people at SPICE - it's really fun! I like to ice
skate in my free time too."
Sarah & Maddy
"Could not be more proud to be a part of
this organization!" - Gillespie Family
Kirk Deane
"I love Roundabout 1. Dances...
concerts… dinners with dessert!" "I love playing basketball with you guys. I
love NSSRA and I love the Gators."
Sam Katie L
"I'm in eighth grade. I've been a buddy
for Buddy Basketball, Learn to Ride A
Bike and now Buddy Kickball. I started
because, when my sister was working on
her bat mitzvah project, she was a buddy.
At school I've always worked with kids
with special needs, so I wanted to do this
too. I really love doing it." "I came to NSSRA because I was done
with New Trier in 2009. I like Friday night
events and Saturdays and Sundays and
basketball and track and field. My mom
wanted me to join NSSRA because we are
trying to find people I can have a lot of
stuff in common with. I never felt better
with all of these people."
Kathleen John
"I'm a star. I love theater. I love acting. I’ve "I love helping my friends at ELA." - John,
been with Bright Star Theatre Company for with Amber (ELA Program Instructor)
six years. I love being under the lights!"
Julie
"My favorite program is Strength &
Conditioning because it makes me
strong!"
www.nssra.org/iamnssra
Marissa
"Most people dread Mondays but I am
lucky enough to have a job where I look
forward to my Monday nights. Strength
& Conditioning is one of my favorite
programs to lead because the main goal
of the program is to improve the well-
being of our participants’ lives. And how
could you not be excited to see Jay’s
infectious smile every Monday?!" - Marissa
(Recreation Specialist for Youth Programs)
Jay
"My favorite NSSRA program is all of them.
My favorite food is everything. I am super
enthusiastic. I have been doing NSSRA
programs since I was three years old, and
now I’m 44. I love Bright Star Theatre! I’m
very debonair."
Want more?
Follow along with #iamnssra
on Facebook, Instagram and
LinkedIn (as well as the rest of
our adventures!) and, even better,
share your stories with us too!
Participants, families, staff,
partner agencies, donors,
community members, we are
NSSRA.
#IAMNSSRA 15