Image: BORP logo in blue and orange, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation.

In This Issue: From the Desk of Emily Seelenfreund | Rev 2024 | Expo by the Numbers |Special Announcements | Community Resources | Social Media Links | Mission Statement | Office Address

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Big News: We're Updating Our Name!

We are officially changing our name to BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation! If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past couple months- it’s that BORP has meant so much to so many people for so long. Given that- I know there will be lots of curiosity about how and why we came to this decision. Let me field some of the most common questions:

Is it really a name change?

Some of you will have noticed that we’ve been using BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation on the website and in some other contexts. Now it is official, so that no matter where someone reads about BORP, they will see the same name consistently.



Why change it?

Our previous name, Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program, left many confused about who we were and what we do. This was especially true for folks hearing about BORP for the first time. You’d have to say the name, explain it was an acronym, and then explain that “outreach and recreation” referred specifically to adaptive opportunities. The core of our mission remains the same: to provide meaningful sport and recreation opportunities to people with physical disabilities and vision impairments across the Bay Area. To achieve this goal, we need to reach and engage as many people as possible. This requires a simple and powerful name that conveys what we do instantly.

Who was involved in this decision?

Our team of eight program managers, many of whom have been with BORP for decades, all weighed in and voted enthusiastically in favor of the change. There was a healthy debate about whether we should go with “rec” or “recreation” but beyond that it was an easy consensus. The Board of Directors also unanimously voted in favor of the change.

Why keep the BORP?

The name “BORP” is distinctive, memorable, historic, and evokes such a fondness and significance to people across the Bay Area- as it has for 47 years! We love our quirky acronym-turned-name and will continue to shout BORP from the rooftops with pride! In the community- we have been and will continue to be known as BORP. Altering our full name will just help us welcome others into the family a little more easily. 

Can I still write checks to just plain ol’ BORP?

Yes! Kind of you to ask! :)

In community,

Image: Two people going into the bike shed; one person walking, being led, with his hand on the shoulder of another person leading him in a wheelchair.

Mark your calendars for The Rev: May 12, 2024

It's Mother's Day, but what better way to celebrate your mom than going on a ride for a good cause?

We'll be getting things going in earnest soon, but if you are eager to help with the fundraising, you can download Sponsorship Information on the website here: www.borp.org/the-revolution/

Image 1: Photo from last year's Rev of riders gathered for the ride safety talk. Superimposed is: "Save the date for the Revolution Ride, May 12, 2024.

BORP's first Adaptive Sports Expo was an unmitigated success. You can help grow this event by linking BORP to area businesses and individuals who should be a part of it. Please check out the Expo Events page on our website for resources to recruit sponsors for BORP's Adaptive Sports Expo 2024.

Expo by the Numbers

What People are Saying

"We got to try out all the activities first hand before having/ needing to sign up for the official program. It was great to get an idea of how everything works."

"A great way to try out a bunch of new sports and meet new people."

"Everything was Perfect!!! Everything! Kudos to everyone for a job well, well done. Transportation was great. Communication was great. The layout of all the programs was perfect."

Image 1: A collage of 10 photos from the Expo that show: people arriving under the "welcome to the BORPalooza" banner; people playing wheelchair basketball, Pickleball, goalball; a group of volunteers, a group of pepople tabling in fornt of a BORP banner; people serving and being served food. Image 2 "Expo by the Numbers" reads: 173 Eager Expo participants; 80+ BBQ lunches served; 57 Passionate volunteers: 10 Adaptive activities to try (Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball, Quad Rugby, Power Soccer, Pickleball, Rumba, Cycling, Kayaking, Climbing); Vendors and info booths; 3 Locations around Berkeley; and 1 BORP accessible shuttle to all programs.

Image 3 reads: "Thank you to our Expo Sponsors, " with six event sponsor logos underneath: Kaiser Permanente Northern California Government and Community Relations Event Sponsorship, Lotus Lab, Hanger Clinic, Sports Basement, East Bay Regional Parks Foundation, and Lift & Transfer Specialists.

Announcements

Our thanks to you! - In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we invite you to use the coupon below for an invitation-only shopping experience at the Columbia Employees Store in Richmond. Enjoy 40-60% below retail price, just because you are a part of the BORP community. Provide the coupon below, ID, and this newsletter (on your phone) for entrance. Month of November only. Thank you for being a part of BORP!

BORP wheelchair rugby team The High Fives took second place at the Slam on the Sound tournament held Oct. 6th through 8th in Seattle. Click for story & photos

We are excited to announce the return of the BORP Goalball Invitational Tournament, Saturday December 9th 2023 at the James Kenney Community Center. Contact Brandon Young for more details, brandon@borp.org.

Image: a coupon exclusively for BORP supporters for shopping at the Columbia Employee's Store. It shows two people walking purposefully in fine outdoor gear and has the following information about how to redeem the coupon: valid from 11/1/23 to 11/30/23; bring this coupon with photo ID plus proof of BORP affiliation (for instance this newsletter on you phone); location and hours: 1414 Harbour Way S., Suite 1010, Richmond, CA 94804, Monday through Friday 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 9:00AM to 8:00 PM (check online for the latest hours).

Berkeley-based World Institute on Disability (WID) is conducting an in-person research study on November 9th, 10th, and 13th, with 1-hour in-person sessions and a $100 compensation for participation. They seek participation from individuals with dexterity disabilities. For more information click here or complete their in-take survey: WID In-Person Research Study - Nov. 2023

Emergency Preparedness and Resilience in Alameda County:

The Center for Independent Living’s Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Program Team is collaborating with the World Institute on Disability (WID) to survey people with disabilities in Alameda County. The goal of this survey is to understand people with disabilities’ emergency preparedness, their experiences during emergencies and disasters, and what county or community resources they access, or expect to access. In addition to the survey, CIL will be holding a series of focus groups and community listening sessions in the near future, which you will have the opportunity to sign up for at the end of this survey.

Click here to access survey (est. time 10-15 min)

Our Facebook page features what’s happening at BORP, news about adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation, and other issues of interest to the disability community. BORP is also on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Follow, like, and subscribe to us across all your social media platforms!

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports, fitness and recreation programs. www.borp.org 

Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation