Finding Community

Do you remember a time in your life when you were a weird, awkward kid?  Maybe this was a long time ago.  Maybe -- for some of us -- this was last week.

And do you remember how it felt to find your people, to find the like-minded friends, and special adults who made you feel like you really belonged?  Didn't it change your entire life, to no longer be an outsider, and to have a community that supported you, and allowed you grow and flourish?  It took a lot of the sting out of life, and made you more resilient.  It made you the person you are today.  

Now imagine that you're a physically disabled kid.  You're likely the only disabled kid in your school.  You may not know any other kids like yourself.  Imagine how lonely and difficult that must be.

This is where the BORP (the Bay Area Outreach Recreation Program) comes in.  BORP works with physically disabled kids to provide mentoring and community, to help them flourish and not feel like outsiders.  BORP lets these kids be the rowdy, resilient, rambunctious kids they're meant to be.  

If you don't know any kids with physical disabilities, it may be hard to imagine the obstacles they face.  Let's look at the statistics.

• 28% of disabled Americans drop out of high school.
• Just over 20% of disabled Americans get a college degree.
• 73% of disabled Americans are unemployed.
• Disabled kids are twice as likely to be depressed, commit suicide, and use alcohol or drugs than their able bodied peers.

 In stark contrast, the young people who participate in BORP programs become educated, productive, engaged members of society.

• Over 95% have graduated from high school in the past ten years.
• Over 80% either have university degrees, or are in college now.
• Over 80% are employed.

So how does this work?

BORP works with kids as young as five years old, and stays with these kids until they turn 18. Their often-disabled mentors -- many of them BORP graduates -- offer regular, positive guidance.  BORP works with disabled kids, their families, their schools and service providers. BORP expects a lot from their participants, and the kids live up to expectations.  

In addition to the serious work of mentoring, these severely disabled kids get to be part of a larger community, to be part of a pack of their peers, and to do fun kid stuff.  BORP kids may have a lot of challenges, but they've got the support network that will ensure that they thrive. 

So, as a former awkward weird kid, I'm asking if you can support this wonderful organization.  Every little bit helps, and it really will go a long way to make life happier for kids (and adults) with physical disabilities.

Click here to support our fundraising efforts.

Thanks so much!

((slightly awkward hug))

Lisa