Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Find Special Olympics Near Me
We are helping to make the world a better, healthier and more joyful place—one athlete, one volunteer, one family member at a time.
Your Program
Based on your location, your local program is %location%.
Your location could not be automatically determined. Choose a program below:
Your Special Olympics Local Program:
Looking for a different local program? Choose a program from the list below:
Get Involved

Families

Families Lead
Family Logo

Families are the number one fans of our Special Olympics athletes. They offer a unique type of support, love and encouragement that no one else can. Special Olympics is a support network that brings families together in a caring, positive way—and that makes the cheers for our athletes even louder!

Among Friends

At Special Olympics competitions and events, family members are among friends—and feel at home. They watch with pride as their athlete finds success and joy.

A mother in Great Britain says families are part of the team—working together to make it all happen. "Everyone in the programme accepts each other without question. Everyone works as a team supporting each other." She says her son has made great strides since joining Special Olympics. "I know this has meant a great deal to him and, as a mum, to watch Jamie achieve and believe in himself is just wonderful."

Building Communities

Families are an essential link to the community and wider support for our movement. To learn more about different volunteer and leadership opportunities available to Special Olympics families, please reach out to your local Special Olympics program.

For every family member who gets involved, Special Olympics has a reason to celebrate!

Special Olympics Handbook for Effective Family Engagement

Advice, stories, observations and tips from special olympics family and program leaders from around the world
Global Family Leadership Council

Amal Khafaoui

Special Olympics Middle East/North Africa - Sibling

Gang PENG

Special Olympics East Asia - Parent

Wendy Trotter

Special Olympics North America - Parent

Pelotlhomogi Rantseo

Special Olympics Africa - Parent

Vaiva Abramaviciute de Silva

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia - Caregiver

Claudia Peña Testa

Special Olympics Latin America - Parent

Nauman Mehboob

Special Olympics Asia Pacific - Parent
Recent Articles about Families

Special Olympics Oklahoma Coach Wins SONA Lifetime Achievement Award

For more than two decades, Susan St. John has been a fixture of the Special Olympics Oklahoma community, ever since her daughter, Chelsea, first became an athlete while in middle school.
3 Min Read

Girl, You Got This!

When 19-year-old alpine skier and Special Olympics athlete Madison Cyr is gliding down the slopes her motivational saying “Girl, You Got This” keeps her going.
1 Min Read

More Than Spectators: The Unseen Power of Family Support

Every athlete’s journey is shaped by those who believed the most in them—family.
1 Min Read