Humble ISD's Integrated Athletics Program: A Dream Accessible to Everyone
Humble ISD's Integrated Athletics Program is proving that competing in sports is a dream accessible to everyone. This program, dedicated to providing sports skills training, coaching, and district-wide competition opportunities for students with disabilities, has received tremendous support from The Voices of Power Foundation.
“Sports programs for special needs children are not just about physical activity; they’re about building confidence, fostering inclusion, and creating a sense of belonging. By participating in these programs, children learn valuable social skills and teamwork, paving the way for them to become productive, engaged members of society. Each game played and every skill learned helps bridge gaps, promotes understanding, and nurtures a more inclusive community,” said Joe Wells, President of Voices of Power Foundation.
The generous grant began funding Drum Fit equipment for high schools and supporting the Integrated Athletics field days for secondary students in the Fall of 2022.
Additional funds donated from Voices of Power provided golf practice bags for Integrated Athletics students at elementary campuses prior to the annual district-wide golf tournament. These 30 practice bags were instrumental in preparing the elementary students for the golf event. Each bag contained green yoga mats (the putting green), multiple sizes of putters, balls, foot placement decals to teach students correct foot placement, raised golf holes, and a carrying bag.
"We are very grateful to the Voices of Power Foundation for their support and interest in the Integrated Athletics Program,” said Pullen. "The grants we are receiving will positively impact students and staff members in Humble ISD."
Additionally, the grant funded banners/photo backdrops for students at events. "Teachers, students, and parents love the Integrated Athletics Program and love taking pictures at the events. We are excited to finally give them an actual backdrop that highlights their involvement in the Integrated Athletics Program in Humble ISD," Pullen added.
This year, the Humble ISD Integrated Athletics program received $3,000 from Voices of Power, but since 2022, VOP has awarded Humble ISD Education Foundation over $19,000 in support of educational programs for students with disabilities. These funds supported Transition Services initiatives which assisted students with disabilities in reaching their post-secondary goals and becoming lifelong learners. Additionally, the Speech Language Pathology (SLP) Team at Humble ISD received support to provide updated therapy materials to each campus. These resources, designed to improve students' articulation, are versatile enough to be used anywhere on campus, including the speech therapy room, classrooms, the cafeteria, and even during recess.
“The Humble ISD Education Foundation is grateful to partner with The Voices of Power Foundation to continue providing new opportunities to students with disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to succeed in athletics and beyond. We believe in the potential of every student and are proud to have amazing partners like Voices of Power,” said Jerri Monbaron, Executive Director for the Humble ISD Education Foundation.
