KEEN St. Louis |

Creating Communities

That Empower Youth with Disabilities Through Inclusive Recreation and Fitness Programs

Creating Communities

That Foster Volunteerism and a Commitment to Positive Change

Creating Communities

That Support Overall Health and Well-Being

Creating Communities

That Provide Families with Respite and a Supportive Network

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Dear KEEN Family,

For the past 15 years, KEEN St. Louis has brought free recreational programming to young people with disabilities in the St. Louis area. We have watched our athletes and volunteers grow, and developed deep friendships with so many of you.

We are sad to inform you that KEEN St. Louis will be suspending programs at the end of this year. While deeply committed to our athletes and volunteers, during Covid-19 we were understandably challenged to recruit new leadership. After great deliberation, the KEEN St. Louis Board of Directors has been unable to see a path forward to fund the organization. We are actively searching for a strong, local organization to provide recreational opportunities for our athletes and volunteer coaches in the years to come. We remain hopeful in that search.

Our parent organization, KEEN USA, is willing to support a re-launch of KEEN St. Louis, but only if new leadership emerges. New leaders must be willing to form a full board of directors and commit to rebuilding a sustainable KEEN affiliate in the St. Louis market. KEEN is a grassroots organization and can only be run as such. If you are interested, please contact KEEN USA Executive Director Kate Hurson at katehurson@keenusa.org.

Despite this news, please know that we wish each of you the warmest of holiday seasons, and a happy and healthy new year.

Our final KEEN St. Louis sessions will be held as follows:

-- Sports at SLUH Sunday, December 4th and December 11th, 2022
-- Burn Boot Camp Saturday, December 17th, 2022
-- Swim at Center of Clayton Sunday, December 18th, 2022

If you are registered for any of these sessions, we look forward to seeing you then.

Elizabeth, Kaitlyn, and Kelly
Your KEEN ST. Louis Program Team
And the KEEN St. Louis Board of Directors

Trevor Noah is KEEN on KEEN!

The Daily Show Host shared KEEN's mission with his viewers as part Disability Awareness Month,
with a dedicated donation link. dailyshow.com/keen

Thank you Trevor Noah!

THE FINISH LINE IS JUST THE BEGINNING

KEEN New York Executive Director Amanda Alvarado Frantz shares what it meant to be part of a duo team in the Los Angeles Marathon.
She was pushed by KEEN USA Board President John Hayato Branderhorst.

To celebrate KEEN’s 30th anniversary of providing free programs of recreation and fitness for youth with disabilities, we are proud to announce our new Mission and Vision Statements. KEEN’s direction for the next 30 years will be focused on inclusion, empowerment, and community impact.

KEEN’s Mission: Empower youth with disabilities and impact volunteer coaches through participation in free, non-competitive, one-on-one programs of physical activity and fun, supporting the overall health and well-being of all participants.

KEEN’s Vision: Create communities in which individuals with disabilities have equal opportunities for recreation, fitness, and friendship; provide families with respite and a supportive network; foster a lifelong commitment to positive change for volunteers through their engagement with KEEN athletes; develop partnerships to actively promote disability awareness.

KEEN will continue to be guided by our core principles of accepting every child, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability, providing all programs entirely free of charge, and meeting the needs of the individual athlete, allowing everyone to find success and joy.