Miami-Dade Parks awarded U.S. grant to support adaptive sports programming for veterans with disabilities

The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion (T.R.I.) unit has received a grant award of $114,480.77 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the  Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Veterans and Service Members with disabilities (ASG Program.) The funds will help to increase and expand the Unit’s adaptive sports opportunities for veterans.  

“This grant represents an opportunity to honor the resilience and dedication of Miami-Dade's servicemen and women,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Our commitment to supporting and uplifting our veterans remains a steadfast priority, and through these programs, we provide vital resources to help veterans with disabilities on their journey to healing and rebuilding their lives in a beautiful park setting.”  

The goals and objectives of the grant program include providing adaptive sport activities designed to enhance the rehabilitative, therapeutic, and whole life health of veterans and service members across the complete spectrum of adaptive sport activities – from recreational through elite levels of competition. 

“Miami-Dade Parks is truly grateful for the generous grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to support our adaptive sports program,” said Maria I. Nardi, Director of Miami-Dade Parks. “This funding enables us to enhance the physical and mental well-being of those who have served our country, offering them the chance to engage in adaptive sports and recreation that promote healing, camaraderie, and personal growth, through parks.”

The VA reports there are 19.1 million veterans living in the United States, with 1.43 million veterans in Florida alone.  The VA notes that many veterans of recent years’ combats reported episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and had a wide variety of physical disabilities, including amputations and visual impairments. Various studies by the VA, throughout the years, also conclude that when veterans with varying disabilities regularly participated in adaptive sports and recreation activities, they experienced vast improvements in their overall well-being.

“We are honored that Miami-Dade Parks has received this generous grant award from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These much-needed funds will allow us to provide more adaptive sports programming for local veterans with disabilities, to improve their physical and mental health, and help build their self-esteem for living a happier and healthier life,” said Gisel Prado, manager, Miami-Dade Parks Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion.

In October, the $13.8 million in grant awards were given to 91 national, regional and community programs with activities servicing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Information about the awardees and details of the grant program may be found at www.va.gov/adaptivesports and @Sports4Vets on social media. 

Miami-Dade Parks Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion offers the following adaptive sports clinics: Archery, Art & Movement, Boccia, Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Kayaking, Pickleball, Swimming, Trap Shooting, Wheelchair Basketball. Upon completion of the sports clinics, participants will have the opportunity to continue in the activities free of charge. 

Many program participants take part in Miami-Dade Parks’ annual Adaptive Sports Experience, as well as regional and national sports events. They also receive mentorship from the Parks Department’s own Miami HEAT Wheels wheelchair basketball team that competes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA). 

Partners include the Leisure Access Foundation, therapists from the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Miami, the Miami Veterans Medical Center, the Paralyzed Veterans of America Florida Chapter, The Wounded Warrior Project, Miami-Dade County ECO Adventures, the Miami Vet Center, and the Veteran’s Services Coalition of Miami-Dade County. 

The Miami-Dade County Parks Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion unit promotes the involvement of persons with disabilities in all Miami-Dade County Parks’ services and activities.  The unit trains persons with physical and visual impairments desiring to engage in recreational and competitive adaptive sports. 

For more information about Miami-Dade Parks’ Veterans Adapted Sports Program, contact Eric Cooper, CTRS  ,  786-626-7980 or [email protected].  For more information visit the web page. 

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About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces: Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces is among the three largest park systems in the United States, consisting of 290 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique and diverse park and recreation systems in the world, focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship.

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