Presidio Sentinel San Diego,
November 2012
By Laura Walcher
When attorney Jerry Harris is on your side, challenges are
met, growth is guaranteed. Five years ago, he turned his considerable legal
ability and passion to the development of “SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes”
(S4EA, or SPORTS) – fueled in no small part by his own developmentally disabled
sister, and his family’s dedication to social and public service. “I think a
measure of our society, “ he states, “is how we treat our disabled and
disadvantaged. “
We talked about SPORTS:
LW: You helped found and fund S4EA? What compelled you to
take an interest - ?
JH: I was born
and raised in San Diego. I
remember when there were cows in Mission Valley! My 90-year old father set a great example for we five
kids. He was always involved in
our activities: president of the
Little League or Indian Guides –also, various charities and politics. I practiced with him as an attorney for
10 years, until he retired.
I was a founding member of the San Diego Mediation Center (now the
National Conflict Resolution Center) in 1990, and eventually executive director
for a year. Recently, I was
president of the San Diego Table Tennis association; now, I’m Chairman of
Balboa Park/Morley Field Recreation Committee.
I’ve been involved in the
developmentally disabled community my whole life! When my sister was born,
doctors recommended that she be institutionalized. My parents disagreed and raised her as any other
child. She worked for City Schools
for 20 years, today lives independently (with some assistance) and owns her own
condominium.
I began working in Special
Olympics in the late seventies - coaching and helping run tournaments . When
Special Olympics became nationally focused as a fund-raising – instead of a
service – organization, I joined with an energized group of parents, volunteers
and staff to create S4EA. We had corporate support from Qualcomm, SDGE and Home
Depot, Rotary and Kiwanis, plus, importantly, a few individual donors and
foundations..
S4EA was formed because, with
great energy and vision, parents wanted a local group to oversee activities for
the developmentally disabled – our ‘special athletes.’ Now, more than 1400 athletes participate
in more than 20 sports, plus social and recreational activities. Our athletes look forward to these with
great anticipation; they comprise a significant component of their lives.
LW: Who were
(and are) your compatriots in its inception? What role do you fulfill now?
JH: Walter Jackson is the executive director and has
worked with Special Athletes for more than four decades. Clara Downes is Associate Director. Many of the original board members who had
relatives in the programs or worked in the industry still support the
organization. Today our
board has greater reach into the community and greater access to financial
resources. I’m Chairman of the Advisory board. My job is to bring resources, skills and attention to the
organization.
LW: What ‘hole’ did you fill in the lives of those who benefit
from your activities/services?
JH: Our athletes enjoy the excitement of participating in group
and sports events, and benefit by
opportunities to develop social and personal skills, which translates to
other facets of their lives. Floor
hockey practice, for instance, is where you get to see your friends, gain
fitness and get to compete like everyone else! The skills they develop through
SPORTS helps them transition to involvement in the community – i.e. other civic
activities, often jobs.
LW: Who are the
athletic instructors working with you?
Volunteers?
If someone were interested in helping, do they need athletic
credentials?
JH: Our volunteers are screened; we ask them to make regular and
substantial commitment. They join
celebrity supporters - like Bill Walton and Monique Henderson! Volunteers don’t need any specific skills - although a knowledge of some sports is
helpful. We need people that can
commit to at least one practice a week for 10 weeks. Some of our volunteers have been around for decades!
LW: Give us a
few examples of a) the typical person you serve?
JH: Typically, that person is in their 20's or 30's, tho’ we
have kids as young as five and adults in their 70's! Everyone may participate - including the siblings and
friends of the athletes. About
10-20% of our participants are not disabled. We want everyone to be able to play together.
For instance, Joey and Tommy are
brothers; they both have Down
Syndrome and developmental disabilities. Soon, they’ll be able to compete
together with their sister Nicole, in floor hockey, flag football and
volleyball. This winter,
Joey will be able to go cross country skiing. Tommy has gained the confidence needed to be a valued employee
at Lindberg Schweitzer Elementary School.
Joey has finished school and is just beginning a work training
program. For many of our athletes,
S4EA is their only social and sports outlet.
LW: I presume your athletes age-out at some point. Have you followed any to assess the
program’s impact on them, longer term?
JH: No one ages out of SPORT! Some athletes have been playing together for more than 20
years. I’ve known Ian Rey (pictured) since he was born - 30 years ago! He works at Sprouts and participates in dozens of our
activities. He plays floor hockey,
basketball and volleyball. He has
friends that he has developed over more than two decades. SPORTS helps keep him
active and healthy.
LW: How
are you funded? What’s in it for a
modest – or even generous - philanthropist?
JH: We’re funded by personal donations, corporate
contributions and fund raisers – mainly, ‘Taste of SPORTS’ and the ‘Guacamole
Bowl.’ Any donor can be satisfied
that their gift will be multiplied by many donated hours and will provide
meaningful activities to a population with very little control over their
lives.
LW:
You’ve got an event coming up this month?
JH: Yes! Our next fundraiser is ‘Band Together’
(www.bandtogethersd.com).,
Friday, November 16,
8:30 p.m. at Tio Leo’s
(5302 Napa St., 92110).
Musicians from five different bands are going to play, and all proceeds
will benefit S4EA. This concept
has worked well on the east coast and raises thousands of dollars for
non-profits. Please join us!
(www.S4EA.org). ###
