Special Olympics United with Refugees and Lions Clubs International is a partner to empower refugee youth

In this episode of Inclusion Revolution Radio host Novi Kraven Welcome Rebecca Dow, Lions Clubs International Foundation Executive Director, W Gerald Mbali, Special Olympics Unified Refugees Consultant to highlight global initiatives to support refugee youth.

As a legally resettled refugee, Mbali was introduced to Special Olympics in 2015, and began training with Special Olympics athletes in Turin, Italy. He now serves as one of today’s most important assets in increasing visibility and support for Special Olympics Unified Programs with Refugees.

This programming, which provides inclusive sports and related services to both Special Olympics athletes and refugee youth alike, is committed to driving the holistic development of this population. All refugee and migrant children and adults, with and without Intellectual disabilitiesThey lack safe spaces and activities that can promote their social and emotional development. These issues are addressed through our international partnerships to reach camps and reception centres, and align strategies, services and interventions. Special Olympics also works with several other partners to support this work, including the Lions Clubs International Foundation.

For more than 20 years, Lions Clubs International and Special Olympics have collaborated to achieve global impact, starting with Lions Clubs International Foundation for Special Olympics Open Eyes® program. Since its inception in 2001, the Lions Club International Foundation has given more than $28 million to Special Olympics. health-Related sports initiatives and programmes.

Through the “Mission: Inclusion” partnership platform, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and countless Lions Clubs have become a pivotal global partner in the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities around the world.