I am a psychologist with a daughter who makes use of your winter program (skiing). We have been participating since she was about 6 years old and she is now 21 years old. Every winter, Megan looks forward to the opportunity to go out and ski with your very supportive personnel. In all of years we have been doing this, we have never been disappointed, and Megan has always come home tired, but happy! I have found ALL of the staff, from the people who answer the phone, to the persons who find us the right gear, as well as the instructors who work so patiently with her, to be patient, professional and supportive. I have nothing but praise for this group!
For the past 20 seasons, I have been a volunteer ski instructor at the Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, New York. All the instructors here are volunteers. ASF recently celebrated their 30th year, providing summer and winter programs for people with disabilities. The staff and volunteers are the most dedicated, talented and caring group you could hope to meet. The motto at ASF is “Yes I can!” and “Where all abilities shine!” I can personally tell you that lessons are student based and a family connecting environment exists here. Once you enter the doors at the Adaptive Sports Foundation, you will know you’ve found a program that will work for you and your family.
We have been a part of this organization in their winter and summer program. It's just amazing. Imagine watching your children ski with their father for the 1st time after he nearly died in Iraq. Amazing. We love the staff and volunteers. If you are looking for a safe place to donate your money I can tell you they do what they say. We will always be grateful.
The Adaptive Sports Foundation is an amazing organization who generally cares about those they serve. I am a wounded warrior whose been blessed to attend 2 of their summer Wounded Warrior Events. Not only are the people so giving of themselves, they genuinely make me feel invincible. They recognize our limited abilities and do not pressure participants to do anything they don't feel comfortable with. My family has been able to enjoy this opportunity with me and it was literally the best time we've had together. Both my son and wife have learned to kayak now, giving us a sport and outdoor activity we can enjoy together. Cherisse, the director (not sure of her proper title), is the sweetest, most selfless, client-centered person I have ever met. I feel as if she really cares about our - the warriors - happiness and comfort. I felt, both times, as if everyone there was to ensure our happiness. From their volunteers to their staff, everyone gets to know you, befriend you, and build lifelong bonds regardless of your disability or differences. How do you explain such a life-altering organization? I simply cannot find the words.
The commitment and generosity of the staff and other volunteers at ASF is truly outstanding. Seeing and being a part of what they provide has personally inspired me. Since 2004 up through this past season, I have been a full time ski instructor at Mountain Creek resort in New Jersey and a volunteer adaptive ski instructor at Adaptive Sports Foundation at Windham. Were it not for the excellence of their training and experience matching instructors to students, I would never have had the knowledge and confidence to obtain my Adaptive Level II pin from PSIA. I volunteer midweek most of the year, working at Mountain Creek on the weekends. There are however, two weekends that I normally schedule myself to be at Windham, the Wounded Warrior Program - Support Our Troops Weekend and the Hartman Race. There are too many great memories to choose from to tell in detail here. Among them are: -- providing a safe new adventure for a student who is autistic, blind and non-verbal, --allowing children with various degrees of Developmental Dissability to play and find untold confidence and independace and JOY... (the thank-you cards from them hung on my locker at Mountian Creek for the rest of the season), --teaching the aunt, or teaching the wife of a wounded soldier providing a shared experience of, and witness to the transformitive experience of their love one. --sharing the beauty of the mountain and all the true freedom skiing provides with a veteran overcoming TBI\PTSD. --the JOY of the entire community present at the Hartford Race!!! What is consistantly provided at the Adaptive Sports Foundation is beyond description. The biggest (and only real) lament or problem is that they can not\ do not pay their instructors beyond complimentary lift tickets and a generous discount on food and ski shop products. If I were offered even a mimimal salary, I would do this full time. Because of the overall cost of Adaptive Ski Instruction, most programs in the country DO NOT PAY their instructors. As of yet, the nature of this work is such that few people can make a living doing this work alone. As a result many of the weekday volunteers are retired individuals or people who have the time and flexibility from their job to do this. The challenge to ASF, as well as other Adaptive Ski Programs is to recruit, maintain and train instructors. ASF does this exceptionally well! The Adaptive Sports Foundation manages to consistantly make the most efficient use of its budget. Generosity for the students Abounds in the decision making. Rest assure that anything you give to this organization will make an overwhelming difference to the students who come to their winter program.
I volunteered at ASF at Windham mountain for many years. I have never worked with a bunch of people that were so dedicated. Everyone involved with ASF is there because they want to be there. I remember days where the weather was awful, with temps in the teens, and the student wouldn't want to go in, they were having too much fun, and the instructor would stay out longer then they had to, because they wanted the student to have a great time. Many, if not most of the volunteers drive a long distance and pay a lot of money for food and lodging so that they would have the opportunity to volunteer. I cant say enough about ASF! If I still lived in NY, I would be there every weekend!