ABOUT US
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) is a non-profit organization that promotes the physical and mental well-being of youth, teens, adults and injured military with a physical or visual disability by providing adaptive recreational, fitness and competitive sports programs that empower, inspire, enhance life skills and fulfill dreams. Through its collaboration with community organizations, GLASA also provides education, leadership and training services that lead to active, healthy lifestyles, making a tremendous difference in the quality of one’s life. OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1999 as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) was born to address the need for adaptive recreational and competitive sports programs for children and adults with physical or visual disabilities. There were few adaptive sports programs available for people living in northern Illinois. Many community recreation programs and schools lacked the resources to provide the adaptations needed for quality sports programs. GLASA began by operating out of a home office on a shoe-string budget, using second-hand adaptive equipment. Thanks to the determination and dedication of GLASA’s executive director and founder, its board of directors, athletes, volunteers and parents, the organization soon began offering programs year-round. Since its inception, GLASA has grown in both size and scope, significantly increasing the number and frequency of programs offered and participants served. Today, GLASA provides an array of recreational and competitive sports programs year-round, has added a variety of special events, programs and services, and has expanded its lending program of adaptive sports equipment. Based in north suburban Chicago, GLASA now serves individuals from the Great Lakes region of Chicago and northern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin and parts of Indiana, and has quickly become the go-to resource and a leading provider of quality sports programs for its target population. WHAT WE DO
GLASA provides programs and services for youth and adults who have a physical or visual disability. We offer the widest variety of adaptive recreational, fitness and sports programs year-round, with over 30 different sports to choose from, as well as camps, clinics and tournaments. All GLASA programs are run by qualified coaches, are inclusive and are designed for everyone from the casual beginner to the more serious, accomplished athlete. As we say, “Let No One Sit on the Sidelines.”
GLASA ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS:
• Ambulatory Running
• Archery
• Boccia
• Field
• Goalball
• Golf
• Handcycling
• Horsemanship
• Judo
• Kayaking
• Marathon
• Paratriathlon
• Power Soccer
• Scuba
• Sled Hockey
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swim
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Track
• Water Skiing
• Weightlifting
• Wheelchair Basketball
• Wheelchair Football
• Yoga
GLASA SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS:
• GoGirlGo - “girls only" sport activities and age-appropriate education on nutrition, self-esteem, goal setting and more.
• Camp Trek Adaptive Sports Camp - summer camp for children with physical or visual disabilities.
• Injured Military Program – outreach, education and sports programs for injured military and their families
• Clinics - educational presentations by professionals and coaches in sports, health and wellness
• 5K Twilight Run - a unique annual community event with the largest contingent of disabled participants in the Chicagoland area
• Team GLASA - training and competition opportunities for local, regional and national participation
GLASA SERVICES:
• Education
• Equipment Lending
• Peer Mentoring
• Research
• Resources/Links
• Advocacy and Support
• School-based Programming
• Diversity Presentations
GLASA PROGRAM BENEFITS
GLASA enhances the quality of life by removing barriers, raising expectations, setting goals and achieving success. GLASA programs provide participants many valuable benefits:
• Improved health & fitness
• Obesity/weight control
• Increased strength
• Improved social skills
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Increased confidence
• Improved school performance
• Increased likelihood to attend college
• Increased ability to live & work independently as adults
• Increased opportunities to participate in school & community sports and recreation programs
GLASA ATHLETES
GLASA encourages its athletes to compete with their school, college or community sports programs and provides assistance with this transition process. Many GLASA athletes go on to compete regionally, nationally and internationally in events such as Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports USA, National Junior Disability Championships and the Paralympics.
