Meet the Team, See the Impact

Our logo is a true representation of the founding seven partnerships and vision for creating the Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart.

Creating a hub of information and resources to help children, youth, and families living with disabilities-and the organizations that serve them-learn and grow. The circles represent the seven partners and while no circle is complete on it’s own, there are no gaps in the whole – the hub is stronger together, overlapping yet open to each other.

Our goal is to create better pathways to participation in sport and recreation for children, youth and families living with disabilities that are physical, intellectual, sensory, developmental, or otherwise. People are at the core and the partnerships forged within are part of the connection.

We’d like to thank the talented and creative geniuses at Switchback Creative for the thoughtful development of our visual identity.

Kids in wheel chairs playing fencing.

Building healthy and inclusive communities through sport and recreation.

We empower individuals with varying abilities to get active by creating better pathways in sport and recreation programming in the city of Calgary.

Our Executive Team

Cassandra Murray, Parent Representative

Saheed Alawiye, Youth Representative

Tom Naested, Vecova

Sherry King, Genesis Centre

Jocelyn Santos, YMCA Calgary

Pearl Yellow Old Woman - Healy, Siksika Health

Destiny Whitney, Seven Chiefs Sportsplex, Tsuut’ina Nation

Our Staff

Jen Goeres (she/her), Director - jgoeres@calgaryadaptedhub.com

Jen Goeres has been involved in sport and recreation for over 30 years, working and volunteering for not-for-profit, municipal, provincial, and national organizations. She obtained a Bachelor of Kinesiology (Adapted and Therapeutic Physical Activity) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Physical Education) from the University of Calgary. She is pursuing a Masters of Education - Health and Physical Education at the University of Alberta. Along with the Calgary Adapted Hub, she is an educator with the Calgary Catholic School Division, a Practicum Advisor and Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Education (St. Mary's University) and a Sessional Instructor in the Faculty of Health & Physical Education (Mount Royal University). Jen is also the owner and founder of WordPLAY Consulting Inc., working to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging across the sports, recreation, and education sectors.

Emilie Graver (she/her), Practicum Student/Family Navigation Coordinator - info@calgaryadaptedhub.com

Emilie Graver is a 5th-year Kinesiology student at the University of Calgary and will graduate in Spring 2025. She is completing her practicum with Calgary Adapted Hub powered by Jumpstart as the Family Navigation Coordinator. She has experience working with families as a healthcare aide and respite and wanted to experience another side of this field. Outside school and work, she loves spending time with her cat, crocheting, playing soccer, and doing anything outdoors!

Measuring Our Impact

Calgary Adapted Hub aspires to create a Calgary where every child, youth, and family can belong through inclusive and accessible sport and recreation programs. We take a holistic approach that focuses on three impact pillars.

A girl in a gymnasium using the uneven bars

Overall Health and Wellbeing

We believe active living is essential to quality of life. By creating better pathways in sport and recreation programming, we make it easier for all children and youth of all abilities to stay active, healthy, and connected.

3% of those with disabilities participate in organized sport compared to 36% of able-bodied individuals, while 24% of young people with disabilities never take part in unstructured activities, compared to just 2% of their able-bodied peers.

Citation: Government of Canada (2012). Level the playing field: a natural progression from playground to podium for Canadians with disabilities. Ottawa ON: Senate.

A child in a wheelchair.

Social Inclusion

We believe diversity is our greatest asset. Together with our partners, we create opportunities for children and youth living with disabilities to engage in meaningful participation in an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and autonomy.

Studies show participation in physical activity can potentially lead to more effective socializing and feelings of inclusion with other students, as it provides an opportunity for disposal of excess energy and therefore increased task attention.

*Cleary et al., 2017; Taub & Greer, 2000

Economic Impact & Quality of Life

We believe all children and youth deserve the opportunity to thrive. Thanks to our supporters, we provide equitable access to sport and recreation opportunities by supplementing the cost of specialized equipment, access to facilities, participation fees, and transportation.

Better information on the nature and needs of children and youth with disabilities is essential for policy-makers at all levels of government to predict and plan for improved provision of efficient, equitable, and inclusive services and supports.

Dunn, S., & Zwicker, J. (2017, November 26). Stephanie Dunn and Jennifer Zwicker: Time to update data on Canadian children with disabilities. the province.