Types Of Volunteers
Serve as a Coach:
Coaches play a unique and indispensable role in Special Olympics New Jersey. Coaches provide the sports skills and spirit that define a true athlete. In additional, coaches are role models and character builders. Coaches give Special Olympics New Jersey athletes the most immediate awareness of their own worth, ability, courage, and capacity to grow and improve.
Special Olympics New Jersey coaches assist athletes in developing sports skills and applying them during competitions. Coaches build confidence and self-esteem through sport and conduct demonstrations throughout the community.
For more information about how you can become a coach, please contact your local Area Director or the Special Olympics New Jersey office.
Serve as a volunteer in your local community:
There are 13 Areas (local programs) in New Jersey that run events throughout the year. There are more than 50 Area competitions annually which qualify athletes to advance to sectional and state competitions. Local volunteers generally serve as scorekeepers, timers, lunch servers, and help with set-up and registration. For more information about how you can start volunteering in your area, please contact your local Area Director.
Serve as a volunteer at larger events throughout the state:
After competing at the Area level, many athletes qualify to compete in sectional and chapter events. There are larger events which bring athletes together from the entire state to compete. Special Olympics New Jersey conducts four major chapter events annually – Fall Sports Festival, Winter Games, Spring Sports Festival, and Summer Games. These events may be one, two, or three days in length and often involve an overnight stay for athletes competing.
As both sectional and chapter events volunteers are needed for various positions such as: set-up, registration, scorekeepers, recorders, announcers, awards presenters, and athlete escorts.
To volunteer at a sectional or chapter event you must register using the appropriate seasonal Volunteer Application that is distributed from the Chapter office in Lawrenceville. Each season the latest application is posted on the website for volunteers to download. Once completed, it should be submitted to the office by fax or mail. When an application is received the volunteer will be sent a confirmation with details regarding the event they sign up for. If you do not have access to the internet please contact the SONJ office and request a volunteer application be mailed to you.
For more information on volunteering with Special Olympics New Jersey, please contact or (609)896-8000.
Serve as a Healthcare Volunteer:
Healthy Athletes works to improve access and health care for Special Olympics athletes; make referrals to local health practitioners when appropriate; train health care professionals and students about the needs and care of people with intellectual disabilities; collect, analyze and disseminate data on the health status and needs of people with intellectual disabilities; and advocate for improved health policies and programs for people with intellectual disabilities.
Healthy Athletes screenings in the disciplines of Physical Therapy, Health Promotion, Audiology, Vision, Dental and Sports Physical Exams are provided in a comfortable and fun atmosphere, so athletes and volunteers alike can enjoy themselves. In addition, healthcare volunteers receive free training on the specific health needs of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to go back to their practices and classrooms and better serve their patients and teach their students.
If you are a healthcare professional or student and want to share in the sense of accomplishment and joy received from working with athletes with intellectual disabilities, please contact .