Rising

Together

2022 Impact Report

A Message from Our President

Dear Bridge Community,

As I reflect on 2022, I am reminded of a quote from one of my favorite books, The Alchemist: “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” As we begin this new year, I can honestly say that I believe it to be true. I have dreamed for many years of transforming Cincinnati into a place where everyone has an opportunity to enjoy sports and recreational activities, regardless of ability. Little did I know that there were healthcare providers, community advocates, and athletes all across the Tri-State with the same exact vision. As we united together in the midst of a global pandemic, we only imagined the impact we could make as an organization and community.

In 2021, we were a new nonprofit with an incredibly passionate team. Yet, our little experience in the nonprofit world left us without a true pathway to success. Throughout the year we learned, developed relationships, fundraised, and were ready to make an impact - but we were not quite sure where to start. Many of our athletes find themselves with similar thoughts and feelings.

We made a commitment in 2022 to stop being scared into stagnation and to invest in opportunities and in people; we wanted individuals with disabilities to try anything and everything. As a 100% volunteer-based team, overhead expenses were minimal and we had the freedom to put our dreams into action. It was time to start climbing and seeing how the universe would conspire to help us achieve our goals as we rose together to create a healthier and more inclusive Cincinnati.

And you know what? It worked. We started spending money and we saw the impact immediately. We were able to provide opportunities for people with disabilities in our community to participate in the wildest of sports, including mountain biking and water skiing. We have purchased new equipment to help break down the barriers to participation, including adaptive kayaks and adaptive climbing harnesses. We successfully started a Cincinnati chapter of CP Soccer. The list goes on and on, as you will find in the remainder of this Impact Report.

We often say at The Bridge, “It doesn’t have to be easy, it just has to be possible.” You are making it possible and we cannot thank you enough for your support. We have big plans for 2023 and are incredibly excited to have you join us as we create a community where people, regardless of ability, can fully participate in sport and recreation.

With gratitude,

Danny Meyer, DPT

President

2022 Impact Report

ATHLETE PROFILE | RECOGNIZING STRENGTH

Nicole's Story

Nicole first came to a Bridge event in the fall of 2021, when we hosted a hand cycling Try-It at Lunken Playfield on a chilly, early November day. Her husband and young son tagged along. From her first crank, Nicole was hooked. This summer, she was a staple at our Bridge to Adventure Series and attended mountain biking, rock climbing, and water skiing.

Nicole is a full-time wheelchair user who did not know about adaptive sports until she learned about The Bridge. "These sports opened me to a new, inclusive world - pushing me to try new experiences and showing my son and myself the strength I have to accomplish something that may not be the same as everyone else but equally as fulfilling, if not more."

"Having this equipment as an adult is amazing but to be a child with restrictions... these opportunities are a breath of a fresh air, a chance to be a kid!

In the future I would like a bike so I can ride with my son, which would mean the world to both of us... I am so grateful for all the experiences and the people I have met along the way!"

Your gifts to The Bridge transcend the immediate impact on our participants. They change people's perspective on their own abilities; they create opportunities for families to experience joy and create memories as they pursue a healthy and full life!

2022 Impact Report

Who We Are

We are a diverse group of professionals who envision a community where people, regardless of ability, can fully participate in competitive and leisure activities.

Our mission is to increase awareness and promote opportunities for individuals to participate in adaptive sports and recreation in order to improve their quality of life.

Understanding the challenges to doing this alone, we are bringing together the community to share, collaborate, create and redefine adaptive sport opportunities as we know them.

We are bridging the gap from clinic to community by connecting people with disabilities to adaptive equipment & existing adaptive sports programs - and by creating what does not yet exist.

2022 Impact Report

Program Highlight:

Adapt & Thrive Cincinnati Disability Soccer Clinics & CP Soccer

Adapt and Thrive Cincinnati: Disability Soccer Clinics:

In April, we collaborated with the University of Cincinnati Doctor of Physical Therapy program to host a soccer clinic for everyone, regardless of ability. We brought experts from across the country to Cincinnati to lead five different versions of adaptive soccer, including Amputee Soccer, Blind and Visually Impaired Soccer, Power Soccer, Para/CP Soccer, and TOPSoccer.

In addition, we hosted Mental Health First Aid Training and US Soccer Grassroots Coaching Certification courses.

Adapt & Thrive was so successful that its design will be used by US Soccer's Disability Committee to host clinics around the country.

The Numbers:

• 205 athletes
• 72 volunteers
• 10 expert guest coaches
• 6 newly trained coaches
• 20 people Mental Health First Aid trained

Cerebral Palsy (CP) Soccer Program

Following the success and interest from Adapt & Thrive, we held our first ever 6-week season of CP Soccer for youth ages 5-18. We are one of only 13 programs in the country and have some of the highest attendance rates in the nation. All parents and players reported they will be back for our spring 2023 season!

• 16 athletes
  
• 9 dedicated coaches
  

2022 Impact Report

Program Highlight:

Bridge to Adventure Summer Series

Throughout the summer of 2022, we partnered

with multiple local and national organizations to

bring adaptive adventure sports to Cincinnati.

Beyond just simply providing a single opportunity, we wanted to ensure that our community has a chance to actively enjoy the outdoors whenever they want. We purchased two fully out-fitted adaptive kayaks that will live with the Adventure Outpost at Great Parks of Hamilton County. Three of their staff members completed the Adaptive Paddling Workshop that we hosted through the American Canoe Academy.

Additionally, we purchased a Wellman Arc for rock climbing, which is a specialized harness and pulley system that allows the opportunity for anyone, regardless of the severity of impairment, to climb. The Wellman will be housed at RockQuest Climbing Center, our longstanding community partner with a commitment to promote climbing for all.

The numbers:

• 22 Adaptive Mountain Bikers
• 9 Volunteers trained in Adaptive Paddling
• 5 Adaptive Kayakers
• 54 Adaptive Rock Climbers
• 6 Adaptive Water Skiers

“Being able to be active in sports ​helps me so much both physically ​and mentally. Felt so good to be ​back in the woods for the first time ​since the injury, thanks again so ​much for organizing

this event!”

2022 Impact Report

Program Updates

Try-It Events:

Throughout the year, we hosted various try-it events to give people a chance to try something new at no cost and no commitment. These are a staple of what we do and allow us to gage interest while developing relationships to create long-term programs. Not including our Summer Series and Adapt & Thrive, we held clinics for:

• Adaptive curling
  
• Adaptive disc golf
• Adaptive E-sport gaming
• Adaptive snow skiing
• Power Soccer
• Sled Hockey
• Wheelchair basketball

Try-It Event Athletes

Total: 55

SOAR Expo:

In collaboration with the UC PM&R Department and MayWeHelp, we hosted the inaugural Solutions, Opportunities, Adaptations, and Recreation (SOAR) Expo this October.

• 200+ attendees
  
• 30+ vendors
• Live demonstrations of wheelchair basketball, disc golf, sled hockey, adaptive e-gaming, and wheelchair tennis

Join us next year on September 23, 2023!

Equipment Loan Program:

Through our equipment loan program, we loan new or refurbished equipment to athletes who are interested in trying a sport, but may not have the resources to purchase something of their own. This year, we loaned out on short or long-term basis:

• 1 wheelchair rugby chair
  
• 3 tennis chairs
• 2 hand cycles
• 6 new wheels to local athletes in wheelchair tennis & basketball programs
  

New Equipment Purchases:

• 1 Wellman Arc
• 2 Fully Outfitted Adaptive Kayaks with Transfer Bench
• Personal Wheelchair Basketball Chair for Pat
• Personal Racing Chair for Juniper
• Wheelchair Wheels, Tires & Tubes

2022 Impact Report

Our Team

We are better together, and the impact we have together is greater than a single unit. We believe this true within our leadership, our organization, and our community.

In 2022, we made a commitment to grow our leadership team in order to maximize the sustainable good we can do in and with our community. This past year, we have added the following roles to our volunteer leadership team:

• Performing Arts Chair
  
• Endurance Sports Chair
• Outreach Chair
• The Bridge Community Chair
• Adaptive E-Gaming Chair

This year, we continued to recognize the power of passionate volunteers, who give their time because they believe in our mission and the power of sports... and because it's fun! By offering opportunities for our community to participate in sport and interact with adaptive athletes, we are changing society's perspective on disability.

Board of Directors

• Danny Meyer, DPT - President
  
• Fred Neurohr, MS
• Victoria Heasley, MD
• Renee Loftspring, PT, EdD
• MeMe Earnest-Stanley, DPT, ATC
• Brent Zeiser, CFP®
• Jake Counts, PLY
  

100+

volunteer

opportunities

2022 Impact Report

2022 Financial Report

Total Income: $90,738.77

Fundraising - $45,436.54

Contributions - $45,302.23

Total Expenses: $47,277.19

Programmatic - $8,836.49

Adaptive Equipment - $19,228.69

Operations - $3,191.67

Communications & - $5,599.34 Branding

2022 Impact Report

Climbing on in 2023

Programming

We are working hard on the development of new programs in Cincinnati following the success of last year. Just to name a few already in motion…

• CP Soccer
  
• Power Soccer
  
• Adaptive Archery
• Adaptive Curling
  
• Adaptive Dance
  
• Adaptive E-sports Gaming
  
• Adaptive Fishing
• Adaptive Kayaking
  
• Adaptive Mountain Biking
  
• Adaptive Rock Climbing
  
• Adaptive Waterskiing
  
• Hand cycling
  
• Learn to Run clinic for individuals with amputation and limb difference
  
• Wheelchair Fencing

Equipment

The cost of equipment is a barrier for so many with disabilities who wish to participate in sports and recreation. Through our programming and loan program, we aim to help break down this barrier for our community. Over the next year, we hope to purchase some of the following:

• 2 E-Assist Lasher Adaptive Mountain Bikes: $19,000 per bike
• 1 Adaptive Waterski: $4,000
• 2 Power Soccer Chairs: $10,000 per chair
• 1 General Sports Chair: $4,000
• Various wheelchair parts, wheels, tires, tubes etc. $3000+

Development

We will continue to develop our structure for growth in 2023, including improving the diversity in our leadership and our number of dedicated volunteers. We also plan to implement an ambassador program within local hospital systems and companies to better connect with potential athletes.

2022 Impact Report

With Gratitude to Our Donors

LaRosa's Family Foundation

JTM

The Matthew Earnest Family

Nehemiah Manufacturing

Mazzone Pasta

My 5 Sons

Joey Meyer

Pebble Creek Golf Club

Hoss's Family Steak & Seafood

Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar

Dan & Deb Meyer Family Foundation

Home City Ice

Skyline Chili

RAM Real Estate Group

Dallman & Bohl

Sounders Financial Group

Ron's Roost Restaurant & Bar

UBS

Advance System integration & Control

The Wall Family

TC Energy Corporation

Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney

Chef's Warehouse

Olivia Birkenhauer

Thomas Spanja

Alex and Claire Bruner

Tony and Cathy Campbell

Tricia Raabe

Jerry Lucas

Braedon Richter

Chris Brace

Jill Arlinghaus

Joe Wolf

Wayne Siemer

Riley Kilgore

Corie Cartmell

Joshua Paeth

Carry Ketron

Mallory Steenken

Sulin Ngo

Don & Becky Sumner

Joshua Paeth

Aaron Menitoff

Carry Ketron

Lou and Andrea Zeiser

Renee Loftspring

Fred Neurohr and Liz Kitchell

David and MeMe Stanley

Total number of athlete opportunities in 2022:

363

Thank YOU for making it possible!

2022 Impact Report