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KEEN is modeled on an innovative program established in Oxford, England by Elliott Portnoy, who brought KEEN to the Washington, DC area in 1992. With help from a handful of parents and volunteers, KEEN started as a single program. Now, because of careful attention to the needs of athletes, their families, and volunteers, KEEN serves hundreds of young people with disabilities and offers a wide range of programs and activities.

KEEN has expanded into select cities across the United States, opening its doors to new athletes and volunteers. KEEN St. Louis falls under the umbrella of KEEN USA, along with affiliates in Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Greater DC. As KEEN grows, it is committed to maintaining its basic ideals: providing free recreational opportunities to children and young adults with disabilities by pairing them with trained volunteers for fun, noncompetitive activities. KEEN seeks to develop each athlete's self-esteem and confidence, as well as recreational skills and talents, and to increase each athlete's ability to participate in a broader range of recreational activities and environments.

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