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

In This Issue: Letter from Rick Smith | Fitness Fun via Zoom | In-Person Fitness Classes | Adventures & Outings | Team Sports | Cycling | Indoor Rock Climbing | Access NorCal | Kayaking | BORP Employment Opportunities | Low-Cost Internet | Event of Interest | Revolution Ride 2023 | Social Media Links | BORP Covid-19 Guidelines | Mission Statement | Office Address

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Appreciation and Gratitude this Giving Season

It’s that time of year when we take time to be thankful for the things in our lives that bring us peace, joy, and happiness. As the executive director of BORP I’m thankful to be part of a caring community that includes participants, staff, board, volunteers, and organizational partners – all coming together around BORP’s mission – making sports, recreation, and fitness programming accessible to everyone. Especially after weathering the challenges of Covid-19, I’m thankful that BORP has hung strong – we even added to our program menu with the new additions of archery, climbing, kayaking, wheelchair rugby, adaptive cycling in San Francisco, and several new fitness classes.

Thanks again to everyone who completed our recent participant survey – the feedback helps us think about the future and hopefully we can continue to improve and strengthen our programs in the year ahead. If you missed the survey, you can always send me an email with your thoughts and ideas: rick@borp.org. 

The end of the year is also a time when nonprofit organizations ask their supporters to consider a year-end gift to support the missions of organizations that they care about. I hope you will consider including BORP in your charitable giving. You can make a contribution today by clicking here; you’ll hear from BORP this giving season as we highlight ways that your contributions have made a difference this year.

Thanks for all the support.

I wish everyone a very peaceful Thanksgiving holiday,

Rick Smith

Executive Director

Online Fitness Spotlight:

BORPs virtual fitness program reaches Ukrainian refugee living in Poland

Halyna Shepelyuk is living through what many of us have only witnessed through the news. The twenty-six year old kindergarten teacher fled her Ukrainian home in the western city of Rivne shortly after the Russian invasion began in February 2022 to the safety of her mothers home in Poland under circumstances many of us could not imagine.  

On February 15th, 2022, Halyna arrived home from work and set out to walk her dog, Lola. She was in the crosswalk, obeying traffic laws, when she was hit by a car. Unconscious and severely injured, she was transported to a hospital where she underwent several surgeries. And then Russia began bombing eastern Ukraine on February 24th. Although her region was not being bombed, as the days went on, it was clear it would be best for her to recover in the safety of her mother's home in Poland. 

Because of her condition, she and her dog, Lola, were expedited through the border crossing, but she will never forget seeing the thousands waiting to leave, the children and people with their pets. It was heartbreaking. She arrived in Poland needing a wheelchair for mobility and began the process of physical rehabilitation. As she improved, she decided to continue with her life and her interests. Before her accident, Halyna taught English to kindergarten students. Wanting to practice her English language skills while in Poland, she searched and found a program through the Berkeley Library for a Zoom ESL Conversation Club. She opened up to her instructor about her accident and how she is living with a disability. Turns out, this instructor is a long time BORP supporter and suggested Halyna check out BORP’s online fitness classes. Since there is an eight hour time difference, Halyna chose to try out Rumba with Tina at 11 a.m. on Saturdays.

This September she attended her first class, and she was happy she did. Halyna now attends Rumba every Saturday and has been wrapped in the embrace of this special online community known as the "Rumbistas". She has found comfort and support talking with others living with disabilities. “They have become like family,” says Halyna, “they understand me as a person with a disability.” Most importantly, she has found fun and joy in the dance. Every week is a different theme, and for Halloween, she convinced a friend to join in. They dressed as traditional Ukrainian folklore evil spirit women of the woods.

Image 1: Halyna Shepelyuk and her dog, Lola are pictured in front of a large plaza water display that is lit with colored lights. Lola is seated in a wheelchair, facing the camera. Lola is wearing a bright pink jacket, gray pants, and black sneakers with bright pink laces. Her small dog is standing on the tiled rim of the water fountain.

Image 2:Halyna Shepelyuk and friend are seen in a close-up photo, selfie-style close-up of them looking straight into the camera. Both are wearing black shirts and floral crowns of greenery with red berries and ysmall yellow flowers.

Image 3: Close-up photo of Halyna Shepelyuk and her dog, Lola, both looking towards the camera.

Online Fitness for Everyone!

BORP offers an array of online fitness classes each week, Mondays through Saturdays, and there's something for everyone.

Register for online classes here.

Sit Fit | Magic Monday | Tai Chi | Inclusive Functional Strength Training | Adaptive Chair Yoga | Move to the Beats! | Mindful Movement | Seated Pilates and Breathwork Rumba with Tina | Move to the Beats

Image reads: BORP online fitness studio. 

Open Gym on Thursdays at BORP's Fitness Studio–Free!

Starting December 1st: take a healthy lunch break and meet us for Open Gym at the BORP Fitness Center every Thursday from 12 noon-12:45 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to come use the equipment at BORP's Fitness Studio at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. This is not a class and there is no instructor. If you are not able to use the equipment independently you may bring someone to assist. Participants must use masks and be vaccinated. Limited to eight participants. To attend, please sign up here. Email cynthia@borp.org for more information. 

Image reads: Open Gym, Thrusdays 12:00-12:45 p.m. at the BORP fitness center, Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley above the Ashby BART station.

Open Gym Tuesdays

at BORP's Fitness Studio-Free!

Everyone is welcome to come use the equipment at BORP's Fitness Studio at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. This is not a class and there is no instructor. If you are not able to use the equipment independently you may bring someone to assist. Participants must use masks and be vaccinated. Limited to eight participants. Please sign up so you can be notified of schedule changes. Email cynthia@borp.org for more information. 

Image reads: Open Gym, Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the BORP fitness center, Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline Street, Berkeley above the Ashby BART station.

Gentle Stretch & Movement

with Lela Davia



The Gentle Stretch Class is geared towards people with arthritis but open to all. This class provides gentle movement and strengthening for people with disabilities and/or joint disease. Classes will include warm up, strengthening, stretching, cardio, and relaxation segments, all from a seated position. Everyone is welcome to join us on Mondays from 10–11 a.m. at the BORP Fitness Center.

Image reads "just breathe" in stylized black text on a white background.

Image description: Aaron Douglas’s 1936 oil painting “Aspiration”. In mainly purple hues, the silhouettes of two standing and one sitting person are seen facing a tall building on a far away hill. The painting is part of the Harlem Renaissance. The image incorporates cubist, art deco, and African motifs.

Upcoming A & O Events

For all A&O events, Call or Lori Gray to confirm your attendance.

lori@borp.org 510-843-4389

Virtual Highly Descriptive Museum Tour–Monday, November 14

• Docents from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will share detailed descriptions and facts about artwork on a chosen theme. Virtual event.
• Topic: The Harlem Renaissance & Its Inspirations
• Please confirm your spot by Saturday, November 12

A&O Zoom Hangout–Sunday, November 20

• Join in on guided outings, games including truth or dare, headband, group storytelling, and more from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Virtual event.
• Please confirm your interest in attending by Thursday, November 17

Virtual Night Owl Zoom–Friday, November 25

• Generally held on Zoom from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturdays; this is a special Friday Zoom. Virtual event.
• Join in on guided outings, games including truth or dare, headband, group storytelling, and more.
• The deadline to confirm your spot is Saturday, November 19. Call or Lori to confirm your attendance.

Outing with East Bay Parks at Judge John J. Sutter Park–Sunday, December 4

• Join A&O and East Bay Regional Parks for a day of fun! We will fish, hike, have an opportunity for adaptive cycling, and more.
• Transportation will be available from Ed Roberts Campus.
• The program fee is $10, and no fee for youth.
• The deadline to confirm your spot is Sunday, November 20.
• The 22.47-acre Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline, located on the original location of the foot of the Bay Bridge on the Oakland Shoreline, is steeped in history. The Oakland Army Base operated at this location from 1941-1999. Its role as a transportation staging area and terminal for the Department of the Army was vital during the wars the USA participated in.
•  The highlights of this linear park are the 600-foot Observation Pier that’s lined with information panels, the expansive views of the bay; the Port of Oakland where large white gantry cranes rise like trojan horses, Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco, and its proximity to the trailhead for the bridge crossing.
• Shorebirds gather on the ground, in the trees, or are seen bathing and feeding in the nearby mudflats. It’s fun to watch the boats of all types from sailboats manipulating the wind to large container ships and barges assisted by smaller tugboats.
• Fishing is allowed but there's no cleaning station.
• Trail Overview: To reach this flat (except for a short incline before the pier) trail, cross the service road directly in front of the accessible parking spaces then turn left. Watch for cyclists coming from both directions. Typical Terrain: Hard
• More information available for those who sign-up.

Ghirardelli Factory Outlet Annual Holiday Sale Chocolate and Lunch–Saturday, December 10

• Ghirardelli factory visit and lunch at Vallarta Restaurant in San Leandro.
• The program fee is $5 plus the cost of lunch. More info to follow.
• Please confirm your spot by Saturday, November 26

Virtual Highly Descriptive Museum Tour Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco Tour–Monday, December 12

• Docents from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will share detailed descriptions and facts about artwork on a chosen theme. Virtual event.
• Topic tba.
• Please confirm your spot by Sunday, December 4

Volunteers Needed: In-Person Outings for Oakland Youth–Monday, December 19 & Tuesday December 20

• Looking for volunteers that are available to help for rock-climbing, bowling, or possible movie.
• Let Lori know about your interest and availability by Thursday, December 1 
• These outings are specifically for Oakland Youth participants.

Virtual New Year’s Eve Night Owl Zoom–Saturday, December 31

• Join in on guided outings, games including truth or dare, headband, group storytelling, and ring in the New Year! Virtual event.
• Please email if you’re interested in attending by Monday, December 12

The Adventures & Outings (A&O) calendar is full of in-person and virtual programming. Events are listed on the BORP calendar: borp.org/calendar. 

To participate in any of the A&O events, you must first contact Lori Gray at lori@borp.org or by phone at 510-843-4398 (calls accepted after 10 a.m.).

Ongoing A&O events to look forward to include:

 Outdoor Hikes and Activities throughout the Bay Area

Highly Descriptive Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco Virtual Tours

Group Indoor Adaptive Rock Climbing–restarts in early 2023

Contact Lori to find out the latest planned adventures

and to be added to the A&O mailing list.

Pickleball Clinic: Saturday, November 26

Are you looking for some exercise after the indulgences of Thanksgiving? Perhaps you are looking for something fun to do with your visiting family. Pickleball may be just the thing to do together.

Join BORP on Saturday, November 26 for an introduction to adaptive pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the country!

What in the world is Pickleball? Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. The ball is volleyed back and forth over a net using paddles and a plastic ball with holes in it. It can be played both in or outdoors and 2 or 4 people can play at a time. It is known to be easy for beginners to pick up and learn; usapickleball.org is a good website resource to learn about the sport. BORP is adapting this fun game for our disabled community. In general, an exciting part about pickleball is that it can be played with both wheelchair players and able-bodied players in the same game, allowing friends and family to have fun together.

If you are interested in learning more and giving the sport a try all you need to do is let us know you are coming and show up. We will be providing all the equipment including sport wheelchairs, the balls and paddles, and personal instruction by experienced adaptive pickleball players and coaches.

Adaptive Pickleball Clinic

Saturday, November 26 from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.

James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St., Berkeley

Contact Brandon Young to sign up by emailing brandon@borp.org.

Image: Pickelball cartoon image with paddle, two balls, and the word pickleball. 

Wheelchair Basketball

BORP AllStars, our wheelchair basketball team, will be participating in a tournament on December 3 and 4 in Santa Rosa. Local teams including Santa Rosa, Sacramento Cagers, and the Sacramento Shockers, and our very own BORP AllStars will be playing. The competition will be held at Santa Rosa Junior College. Our players have been enjoying learning from BORP board member Emily Seelenfreund who played competitively  at the college level. Emily has been training the team in offensive/defensive drills in order to understand the game of Wheelchair basketball better.

 Interested in joining Wheelchair Basketball? Have questions?

Contact Athletic Director Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org

For more information and to check out BORP’s team sports, including youth sports, please contact Brandon Young at brandon@borp.org.

Adaptive Cycling with BORP

The days are getting colder, but we're still having great cycling weather. Come on down and ride before the rains come. 

Last month we hosted Michiel Desmet on his epic handcycle ride from Alaska to Mexico, learn more about his ride here. 

Reminder: The Cycling Center is hiring! If you know anyone who might be a good fit, check out our job posting at borp.org/work.

Image: Multi-sport BORP athlete Milo gets fitted on a recumbent cycle by BORP staffer Jorge Macias. Photo Credit: Jennifer Manetta.

Adaptive Cycling Center Hours:

By appointment only. Contact cycling@borp.org 510-848-2930 to ride

from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

The BORP Adaptive Cycling Center is located at 80 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley



Adaptive Rock Climbing: BORP + ParaCliffHangers

BORP and ParaCliffHangers are teaming up to offer more adaptive climbing opportunities. Join the indoor Adaptive Rock Climbing fun! Cost: $10 per person (all gear included). To participate, sign up at the ParaCliffHangers site here for a Bay Area session. Be sure that you have a BORP participation form and waiver on file with your current information. If you have a form on file, please do be sure to fill out our updated participation waiver, here. Questions? Email jorge@borp.org.

Register here for BORP + ParaCliffHangers Indoor Climbing.

• Every Friday, 6:00- 9:00 p.m. at Berkeley Ironworks in Berkeley
• Every Fourth Sunday, 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Pacific Pipe in Oakland 
• Every Second Tuesday, 2:30-5:00 p.m. and/or 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Diablo Rock Gym, in Concord

Image: A climber is seen partway up a climbing wall, moving up along pink triangle holds. The climber's empty wheelchair is seen below the climber. A spotter looks up at the climber from the side. Additional climbing walls are seen in the background. All the climbing walls have holds of various shapes, colors, and sizes.

Winter Wildlife Viewing

When the weather changes both humans and wildlife head south for warmer

parts. Now is the perfect time to plan an outing to see and hear migrating wildlife

at several great wheelchair accessible parks. At Año Nuevo in Pescadero, you

can travel on an accessible boardwalk to get close-up views of mammoth sized elephant seals. You can hike the one-mile, Lost Slough Trail at Consumnes River Nature Preserve in Galt, to observe the magnificent Sand Hill Cranes. For something truly spectacular visit Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz where monarch butterflies travel from the northern states and southern Canada, to roost and mate. During the winter months, if you visit on a sunny day you might see hundreds of butterflies fluttering through the park’s eucalyptus groves or hanging from the trees in clusters; a ramped boardwalk provides access to the grove.

For more information about these wildlife opportunities and much more visit the

Access Northern California website, www.accessnca.org

Image: Wetlands surrounded by trees. Sandhill cranes stand in the water while others are just about to land. Photo by Josh Maddox.

Adaptive Kayaking in Berkeley

As we head into the Thanksgiving season, BORP Adaptive Kayaking has a lot to be thankful for. 

Thank you to Special People In Need (S.P.I.N.) for the generous grant award towards adaptive paddling paddling equipment!

And, thank you, SF Federal Reserve for our excellent volunteer group! We had a gorgeous day for these hard workers who took time out to volunteer for BORP. In just two hours, they made a huge difference to our Adaptive Kayaking program. They cleaned boats, organized gear, and even helped with some repairs. We're very grateful! 

If you'd like to get involved with  BORP's Adaptive Kayaking program, please email Mia at kayak@borp.org. 

Image: Multiple rows of neatly stacked multicolor kayaks at BORP's dock, with the BORP Adaptive Sports sign visible on the roof of the building at Aquatic Park.

BORP is Hiring! Join the BORP Team

BORP is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status. We value the range of life experiences our staff bring with them and are stronger for having staff and volunteers with lived experience of disability. Current open positions at BORP are:

Development Manager

BORP is looking for a highly motivated person to translate BORP’s success story into increased fundraising results. With a current operating budget of approximately $1,200,000 we are seeking to significantly increase our development revenues from private philanthropy sources (currently around $600,000), over the next several years. Full time employment. Read the full job description at: borp.org/about/work

Adaptive Cycling Program Assistant

BORP is looking for a program assistant at the Adaptive Cycling Center. If you like being outside, talking to new people, and moving bikes, this is the job for you! We are open 9am-5pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The ideal candidate will be able to work all three days with the possibility of extra hours for special events. Part time employment. Read the full job description at: borp.org/about/work

Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Curling & Sled Hockey Clinic

Join CAF and their expert coaches on Sunday, December 4 at Sharks Ice in San Jose from 9:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. for curling, sled hockey, or both! Clinics are open to individuals with a permanent physical disability of all ages and experience levels. Equipment will be provided as needed. Click the flyer image to enlarge and read further info.

CAF's expert coaches include national-level curlers Patrick and Carrie McDonald, and sled hockey Paralympians Jen Lee and Rico Roman. Whether it is your first time out on the ice, or you are an experienced athlete, the coaching staff will work with you to improve your skills and techniques, all while having fun.

All participants will be invited to attend the AHL San Jose Barracuda hockey game the night before the clinic on Saturday, December 3. Each participant will receive two free tickets and additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate. Those who live 60+ miles away from San Jose and wish to attend BOTH the Barracuda Game (Saturday) and the CAF Curling & Sled Hockey Clinic (Sunday) may be eligible for a travel grant.

Space is limited, so be sure to register soon using the below link if you would like to attend: support.challengedathletes.org/curlinghockey

Please contact Eva at CAF with any questions: eva@challengedathletes.org.

Image of flyer reads: 2022 Northern California curling & sled hockey clinisc, Sunday, December 4, 2022, San Jose, Ca. Join Challenged Athletes Foundation for an adaptive curling and sled hockey clinic at Sharks Ice in San Jose on Sunday, December 4th from 9:00AM – 4:00PM! This clinic is open to individuals with physical disabilities of all ages and experience levels. Participants may sign up for curling, sled hockey, or both! Curling instructors include Paralympian, 8X wheelchair curling national champion, and level 2 USCA instructor, Patrick McDonald, and his wife, Carrie McDonald, who holds 10-years of curling experience and level 2 USCA Instructor. Paralympians Jen Lee and Rico Roman will be head coaches for the sled hockey portion of this event. Both Jen and Rico are 3x Paralympians and gold medalists who served in the United States Army and are involved in CAF’s Operation Rebound. All equipment will be provided as needed and lunch will be served between activities, we hope to see you out on the ice! Date: Sunday, December 4, 2022 Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM (session options via registration) Location: Sharks Ice San Jose (Solar4America Ice Rink) 1500 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112. 2022 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CURLING & SLED HOCKEY CLINIC SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022 // SAN JOSE, CA REGISTER TODAY. PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION http://support.challengedathletes.org/curlinghockey Please contact eva@challengedathletes.org for questions or more information.

BORP, in partnership with the World Institute on Disability and the California Emergency Technology Fund, is reaching out to increase access in internet services to people with disabilities.

Internet access is vital for independence and a good quality of life, especially for people with disabilities. WID and CETF are helping people with disabilities enroll in affordable home internet for as little as $10-$20 per month.

To learn more and sign up, visit InternetForAllNow.org.

Image: Against a plain sky-blue background is a person in a wheelchair, side-view. In the top-right of the image words in a plain white text read: Do you have a disability and want affordable, high-quality home internet?

Save the Date: 21st Annual

Revolution Ride, Roll and Stroll

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Santa Rosa, California

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!

Reminder: To keep up to date on the latest protocols from BORP around masking, vaccination requirements, and more, please visit borp.org/covid-guidelines. BORP has pandemic-related safety protocols (masking and vaccination requirements) for indoor and outdoor activities, the Adventures & Outings program, and the Adaptive Cycling Center for all individuals aged 5 years and older.

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