To enhance the lives of people with disabilities across Wisconsin, in 2021 the Wispact Foundation awarded Legacy Grants totaling $168,098 to 22 non-profit organizations.
We’re proud to profile one of our grant winners, The Ability Center, Wauwatosa, WI. The Mission of The Ability Center (TAC) is to provide people impacted by disABILITIES with a daily opportunity to be fit, active, healthy and to play. From adaptive ice skating at Red Arrow Park, to making Bradford Beach the most accessible in America. From hosting inclusive adaptive open gyms and wheelchair basketball programs to inclusive education in schools, TAC is expanding opportunities to recreate in a “different pair of shoes” throughout greater Milwaukee.
” It’s a partnership as good as Mac & Cheese”
This $5,000 grant provided by the Wispact Foundation will help support The Ability Center’s Adaptive Open Gym Program. TAC: Open Gym program began in 2015, and in June of 2021, TAC introduced Open Gym in the Outdoors, following fifteen months of program suspensions due to the Pandemic. TAC: Open Gym in the Outdoors uses an outdoor basketball court provided by our partner, Wauwatosa Recreation. Depending on the distance to the TAC: Open Gym Location, equipment and site fee expenses, the total cost for an Open Gym is between $1,000-1,500. The Legacy Grant provided by Wispact Foundation would help pay for up to 5 Open Gym events per year.
The goals of our Open Gym program include:
Introduce adaptive sports to the community in an inclusive, non-competitive, friendly
environment.
Provide a welcoming, comfortable and inclusive environment for people with disabilities to play together with their family and friends.
Create a fun-filled evening of activities and games for friends, families, peers and/or
colleagues to play in a “Different Pair of Shoes.”
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the support of the Wispact Foundation, this grant will enable us to add an additional location and partner, which means more friends and families of ALL abilities will be able to play together. It’s a partnership as good as Mac & Cheese, said Damian Buchman, Founder, Executive Director, & Adaptive Athlete himself.
In summary, The Ability Center makes it possible for everyBODY to play TOGETHER and complements Wispact’s mission and we are honored to help support this impactful organization.
For more information: https://tacwi.org/