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 I Can Do It, You Can Do It 

 

SPOTLIGHT

The “I Can Do It, You Can Do It” program pairs college-aged mentors with individuals with disabilities for weekly physical activity sessions. In addition to running this program, Slippery Rock University was selected to choose nine new “I Can Do It” sites across the country and distribute grants of up to $15,000 to each new site.

The "I Can Do It, You Can Do It" program was a pilot project developed by faculty and staff at the university that debuted in the Spring 2007 semester.

The program was a variation of a federally initiated program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (Office on Disability). In the traditional program, high school/college students are matched with children who have disabilities. Each pair participates in physical activity after school for 4-5 days per week for six consecutive weeks. At the conclusion of the program, successful mentees achieve the President's Challenge Award for Physical Activity.

In the Slippery Rock University’s version of the program, college students mentor over 120 children and adults with disabilities who live in group homes, community living arrangements, or with their parents. Participants who are serviced by this program have various disabilities such as intellectual, behavioral, physical, or emotional. Sessions are conducted at the Butler YMCA, Grove City YMCA, or Aebersold Recreational Facility and focus on physical activity and nutrition education.

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