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Created
on the belief that recreation, fun, challenge and access
to the outdoors are an essential part of a healthy and
fulfilling life, Shared Adventures is a non-profit organization
dedicated to improving the quality of life of people
living with disabilities.
We are the only program in Santa
Cruz County that offers a year-round calendar of recreational
events for the physically and developmentally challenged
populations.
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There are too few recreational
programs and activities available to meet the needs of
physically and developmentally challenged populations
on the Central Coast. According to 2000 Census data (www.census.gov),
there are over 10,063 individuals ages 16 to 64 with work
disabilities, mobility limitations and self-care limitations
in Santa Cruz County. This represents over 6.5% of the
population. |
Our goal is to offer opportunities for
social and recreational interaction for disabled people, and
thereby encourage:
- Fun, personal growth, development,
and self-confidence
- Cooperation and decision-making skills
- Problem-solving and leadership skills
- Outdoor skills and environmental
awareness
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Founded in 1994 by Foster Andersen, a quadriplegic
survivor of a spinal cord injury, our organization has
provided hundreds of life-enriching recreational and
social activities for people with special needs.
We create opportunities to enjoy arts and social
interaction, as well as engage with the natural environment
through outdoor recreation. Our diverse Calendar
of Activities includes kayaking, art classes, surfing,
museum trips, sailing, indoor rock-climbing, river rafting,
dance parties with live music, camping trips, whale
watching, bowling, horseback riding, and much more.
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Our participant base encompasses individuals of
all ages and backgrounds who struggle with and triumph
over a wide range of physical and developmental challenges.
Our mailing list includes over 700 individuals as well
as 50 group homes, institutions, and partner organizations
(which together represent several hundred more individuals).
(Click here to join our
participant mailing list)
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Our volunteer database currently
has over 1,100 individuals on it and volunteers
help at most of our events, year-round.
(Click here to join our
volunteer mailing list)
On average we receive 3-6 requests per
week year-round from participants and volunteers wishing
to be added to our mailing lists, allowing them to constantly
grow.
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Our two largest events
of the year, Day on the Beach and Day
in the Sky, are very unique and we are often told that
they have life-changing effects for the hundreds of participants
involved and their families.
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In 2003,
Shared Adventures created and published a comprehensive
Accessibility Guide to Santa
Cruz County, a 64-page bilingual publication that
addresses the accessibility needs of both locals and visitors
with a variety of special needs. |
This guide is available free of charge
at many locations across the county, as well as on the web at:
www.scaccessguide.com. The site receives several hundred hits
every week from interested parties around the world.
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years have firmly established our place as a primary communication
and resource center for the disabled population at
home and increasingly throughout the country, while solidifying
our commitment to improving the quality of people's lives.
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From time to time we collaborate with educational
institutions, including the University of California and Stanford.
We are often invited to give class presentations and/or provide
consulting to students working on research or other projects
around disability issues. Many UC Santa Cruz students choose
to complete long or short-term internships with Shared Adventures,
which is mutually beneficial to our organization and to the
students who gain experience and skills.
We also occasionally visit elementary
schools to give interactive presentations on ability awareness;
these encounters have proven a wonderful way to transcend
boundaries, and foster empathy and understanding.
We believe that everyone faces
the world with different abilities and disabilities. Our program
has inspired hundreds of participants and volunteers alike
to break through perceived barriers and achieve more than
they ever thought possible, while building friendships, and
having a whole lot of fun.
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You
can view a book written by Foster Andersen, Shared Adventures'
Founder/President, by clicking here.
In "My Second Life" you can hear Foster's story
in his own words and also see photos of very early Shared
Adventures happenings. |
Click here
to see a short video clip of Foster surfing.
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