The Bath Area Family YMCA, in partnership with Special Olympics Maine and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, proudly presents the Unified Champion Club. This program promotes social inclusion by pairing individuals with and without intellectual disabilities through shared recreational sports and activities. Our simple principle is that playing and competing together fosters quick paths to friendships and mutual understanding.
Led by Joe MacMahan, the Bath Area Family YMCA Unified Champion Club offers six-week sessions focused on different sports, culminating in a celebratory pizza party in the seventh week. At the Bath Y the Champion’s favorite activities are Cornhole, Pickleball, Walking Club, Indoor Softball. The Bath Y conducts surveys throughout the year to measure the impact of the Unified Champion Club on participants and the community, and use those findings to continuously improve the program, increase participation, and promote community bonding and physical fitness.
Since its inception in October 2022, the program has steadily increased membership and participation, and currently boasts 40 champions.
Our program is designed for adults 18 and older and aligns with the YMCA’s mission to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. By participating in our Unified Champion Club, members build lifelong friendships and enjoy a variety of inclusive activities.
Future Goals:
Expand Volunteer Base: We aim to enhance our partnership and achieve a 1:3 ratio by 2025, ensuring even greater inclusivity and community engagement by recruiting and training 8 new volunteers to support the program.
Community Outreach: Host bi-annual community awareness events per year to promote the program and encourage participation.
Inclusion Workshops: Offer a workshop focused on inclusion and disability awareness for YMCA staff and volunteers as part of our all staff in service training.
Partnership Development: Establish partnerships with three local businesses or organizations to support the program through sponsorship or volunteer efforts.
Youth Leadership Program: Develop a youth leadership program within the Unified Champion Club to train young leaders in advocacy and inclusion.
Join Us:
To volunteer, participate, or learn more, visit the Bath Area Family YMCA website at https://bathymca.org or contact Joe MacMahan at joe@bathymca.org.
Together, we are creating a unified generation that chooses to include everyone!