OUR MISSION
Acceptance, Inclusion, and Well-Being Through Sports
OUR MISSION
Acceptance, Inclusion and Wellbeing Through Sports
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, uniting 4.4 million athletes across 170 countries with millions of volunteers and supporters. More than a sports organization, it is a global movement of inclusion and acceptance.
Through sport, athletes with intellectual disabilities discover their strengths, build new skills, and experience the joy of achievement. On and off the playing field, they gain confidence and fulfillment—while inspiring communities to open their hearts to the full spectrum of human potential. In this spirit of joy, courage, and unity, Special Olympics Southern California carries forward its mission—transforming lives and bringing people together.
ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, uniting 4.4 million athletes across 170 countries with millions of volunteers and supporters. More than a sports organization, it is a global movement of inclusion and acceptance.
Through sport, athletes with intellectual disabilities discover their strengths, build new skills, and experience the joy of achievement. On and off the playing field, they gain confidence and fulfillment—while inspiring communities to open their hearts to the full spectrum of human potential. In this spirit of joy, courage, and unity, Special Olympics Southern California carries forward its mission—transforming lives and bringing people together.
The SOSC Mission
The mission of Special Olympics Southern California is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
The SOSC Vision
Our vision is to promote acceptance, inclusion, and well‐being for people with intellectual disabilities through sports.
Diversity Vision Statement
SOSC Core Values
Nearly 60 Years of Acceptance and Inclusion Through the Power of Sports
June • 1968
Special Olympics is Founded
Eunice Kennedy Shriver started Special Olympics in 1968 and California began its first chapter the following year.
July • 1968
Rafer Johnson Leads
Rafer Johnson leads a delegation of 40 athletes and coaches from California to Chicago for the first International Special Olympics games.
June • 1972
California Plays Host
California hosts the third International Summer Special Olympics Games at UCLA and Santa Monica City College. Over 2,500 athletes from all 50 U.S. states and three international programs.
June • 1973
Summer Games Partnership
California Special Olympics holds its Summer Games at UCLA, starting a tradition of Games with the University.
January • 1978
Winter Games
The California Special Olympics Winter Games are held at Mammoth Lakes with 120 athletes competing in Alpine and Cross Country skiing.
March • 1984
First Sponsorship
The Milton Shoong Foundation provides first sponsorship of California Special Olympics Winter Games in South Lake Tahoe as Speed Skating and Figure Skating are added to the program.
March • 1989
Winter Co-Hosts
California Special Olympics co-hosts the International Winter Special Olympics Games in Squaw Valley, CA and Reno, NV.
June • 1997
Cal State University Long Beach
Cal State University Long Beach hosts its first Summer Games and becomes the official home of the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games.
October 19 • 1997
First Annual Pier del Sol
Pier del Sol is founded by Maria Shriver and Anita Green. This annual family fun day, held at the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park features top chefs and restaurants from Los Angeles.
February 11 • 2006
Polar Plunge
The first chapter-wide Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge is held at Seal Beach Pier.
2008
Special Donation
The Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier is sold on eBay for $130,000 to Grant Humphreys of Oklahoma. Half of the sale price is donated to Special Olympics Southern California.
June 6-8 • 2014
Invitational
45th Annual Special Olympics Summer Games Invitational hosts 1,200 athletes at the University of Southern California.
April 30 • 2014
ESPN Coverage
The LA2015 Games Organizing Committee and ESPN announced a global programming deal that saw ESPN bringing coverage of the Special Olympics World Games to millions of fans around the world.
July 25 - August 2 • 2015
World Summer Games
The 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games are held in Los Angeles, CA. More than 6,200 athletes and unified partners from 165 countries competed in 25 sports. These World Games are the largest gathering of nations for any event in the history of Los Angeles.
SOSC Into the Future
As we move into the future, Special Olympics Southern California is committed to growing stronger, reaching further, and creating even greater opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Together with athletes, families, volunteers, and supporters, we will continue to break barriers, build communities of inclusion, and inspire a world where everyone is empowered through the joy of sport. The best chapters of our story are still ahead—and we invite you to be part of them.
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