In  September of 2022, YMCA of Greater Erie announced a partnership with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, aimed at increasing fitness and training opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Both organizations share a similar mission that prioritizes working to improve the quality of life and well-being for the community.

The partnership will help alleviate the Special Olympics struggle to find suitable locations to train athletes and host local competitions. Athletes in the Special Olympic Programs will have access to the Y facilities where they can train for competitive meets, improve fitness levels and build conditioning skills needed to meet the physical challenges of sports training. Athletes can also train for Olympic-type sports year round as opposed to their current 8-week sessions.

The YMCA of Greater Erie joins more than 30 other YMCA facilities in Pennsylvania who have partnered with SOPA to increase opportunities for athletes to develop lifelong fitness goals and reach their full potential. For more information about the partnership and to find local -opportunities to get involved with SOPA and the local YMCAs, visit please visit www.specialolympicspa.org.