Pioneering adaptive recreation and changing lives since 1976.
Mission
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation empowers youth and adults with mobility disabilities and visual impairments through dynamic athletic and outdoor programs, fostering independence, health, community, and a deep sense of belonging.
Impact
of youth participants said BORP increased their confidence and self-esteem
of participants said BORP increased their overall sense of well being
of participants said BORP improved their mental health
of participants said BORP increased their social connections and supportive relationships
Values
Empowering: At BORP our community is in the driver’s seat. We enable people to do more than they ever thought possible.
Welcoming: We nurture a culture of warmth and respect. We want everyone to have a place where they feel at home.
Fun: We create vibrant, playful spaces to explore new activities and new adventures, recognizing that it’s not always about how far or how fast we go, but about the joy of the journey.
Resourceful: To maximize the comfort and independence of our participants- we get creative. We thrive on finding inventive solutions and fostering partnerships that uplift the entire community.
Tenacious: We relentlessly push back against physical, attitudinal, and societal barriers. Show us a challenge: we’ll make it an opportunity.
Connecting: We believe in the transformative power of community to combat isolation and help people with disabilities thrive. We foster spaces where participants and all involved can form deep bonds and lasting friendships.
History
BORP was co-founded in 1975 by Susan Sygall and Diane Schechter.
Susan was a student at the University of California Berkeley where she was doing an independent major focusing on Recreation under the Conservation of Natural Resources department. Diane had just completed a BS in Recreation from the University of Colorado
Susan who is a wheelchair rider, was shocked that Berkeley, an innovative city which was the leader in the independent living movement, had virtually no recreation programs for people with disabilities. For her university class she designed an innovative recreation program that would offer a range of programs as well as the support services needed to facilitate participation. At the suggestion of her professor, she submitted this as a proposal to the City Council. After Diane, completed her degree, she joined Susan in Berkeley, in anticipation that the proposal would be funded.
Timeline
BORP Staff
Financial Transparency
BORP is a one-of-a-kind organization with a rich history and huge impact. The passionate BORP community has helped us provide lifechanging sports and recreation opportunities to people with disabilities for almost 50 years. We depend on you to keep our current programming strong. We also want to expand our programs to help even more people access these opportunities. In exchange, you deserve to know how that money is being spent. We are committed to transparency (we recently earned platinum status on Guidestar).
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation relies on three main sources of giving:
- EVENTS
- Individual Giving: We are lucky to have the support of thousands of individual donors. Consider becoming a member today and pledging a monthly commitment to keeping BORP strong!
- Partners and Funders
