ALPs

ALPs

NEWS: APPLY BY MAY 1ST, 2025: Special Olympics North America(SONA)Athlete Storytelling Training Series (APPLICATION) 

What are Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs)?  Special Olympics Texas is working to develop a more Unified organization and an accepting community across all of our regions and areas. Special Olympics athletes as well as Unified partners are encouraged to get involved in many ways beyond the sports field! One of the most powerful ways athletes can do this is through Athlete Leadership.  Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to develop and demonstrate their abilities in leadership roles. Those without intellectual disabilities are encouraged to  join the athlete leadership team as Unified Partners to mentor and support the leadership skills of Special Olympics athletes. 

Opportunities for engagement included, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Developing area and regional Unified ALPS community teams

  • Gratitude Teams

  • Development of community leadership activities - giving back to the community

  • Athlete storytelling (looking for athletes to share their story of their involvement in Special Olympics)

Learn more by exploring the tabs above (requirements, health messengers &  additional opportunities, and contact/get involved).

     

Six Elements of Our Vision for Our Athlete Leadership Programs 

  1. Create Unified ALPS Community Teams. 
  2. Become part of actively recruiting individuals from community partners, SO Colleges and Young Professionals Boards to become active members of all ALPs Community Teams. 
  3. Create and encourage athletes and all families to become involved in all SOTX campaigns & events, as well as help SOTX connect to their communities for support and resources.
  4. Assist with collecting athletes', families and unified partners stories to share with the community.
  5. Offer Training to become advanced Athlete Leaders, e.g., Global Messenger, Health Messenger, and more.
  6. Athletes and families are encouraged to join “My community” within SOTX to share their stories of the unified movement.

FULL EVENT LIST CAN BE FOUND HERE, SELECT THE 'ALPs' TAG TO SEE UPCOMING ALPs EVENTS.