Acadiana Employment Services at Opelousas (AESO) Volunteers
Mission Statement
Enhance the quality of life in areas of competitive sports and social activities.
History
This agency was established in 1995 and has been a St. Landry-Evangeline
United Way Agency since 1996, comprised of 25 volunteers.
Acadiana Employment Services at Opelousas Volunteers provide funding
for 8 Special Olympic Events, an Annual Special Olympic Banquet, 15 social
activities, and a swimming program for 45 adults with developmental disablilities
who attend Acadiana Employment Services at Opelousas.
Special Olympics is an international sports organization dedicated to intellectually disabled individuals. This organization was created by The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation in 1946. The primary goal is to offer these individuals to become physically fit, productive respected members of society through sports training and competition.
A total of 26 Olympic-type summer and winter sports are offered through Special Olympics. There are currently 1.7 million persons in more than 150 countries. The focus is to reach 2 million athletes by the end of 2005.
Louisiana's Special Olympic Headquarters is located in Hammond.
Acadiana Area now serves nearly 1500 athletes through an Area Director located in Lafayette, LA.
Motto: "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."To find out how you can help, please visit VolunteerSolutions.org
The Special Olympic events we participate with 37 athletes are:
- State Aquatics
- Acadiana Area Track & Field
- State Outdoor Games: Bocce' and Track & Field
- Acadianaa Area Unified Bowling Teams
- Acadiana Area Horsehoes and Softball
- State Fall Classics: Horsehshoes and Softball
- Area Bowling
- State Bowling
President - Loretta Richard
Vice President - Vernon Little
Secretary / Treasurer - Mary Duplechain
Acadiana Employment Services at Opelousas Volunteers
1202 Linwood Drive
Opelousas, LA. 70570
Telephone: 337-942-7290
E mail: lorettaprichard@att.net
Contact Person: Loretta Richard