Overcoming BarriersProgram Guide

Fall 2019

How Did It All Begin? While working on his Ph.D. in Adapted Physical Education at UVA, Dr. Moran provided community-based

camps and clinics for individuals with Disabilities through his Just for Kicks program. In the spring of 2007, after numerous

calls and inquiries from families and parents in Harrisonburg Dr. Moran given a wonderful opportunity to bring his Just for Kicks

program to Harrisonburg. Dr. Jackie Williams and several health and physical education students were instrumental in securing

the facilities and making the one day clinic possible. A year later, a position opened up within the Physical and Health Education

Teacher Education (PHETE) program at JMU and Dr. Moran was blessed to get an offer to come to JMU. In his first year, he

created Project CLIMB, which served as a practicum for PHETE students enrolled in his adapted physical education course in

the fall semester. He had 15 PHETE students so he was able to offer 15 slots to children and adults with disabilities in the

community. The first program took place at Keister Elementary. Dr. Moran knew there was a need for opportunities for

individuals with disabilities in the area, but he also knew his future health and PE teachers needed hands on experience

working with students with disabilities who they were soon going to be asked to successfully include in their future

classrooms. After CLIMB finished that fall, many families asked what opportunities would exist in the spring? Dr. Moran did not

teach adapted PE in the spring. In the fall 2009 and spring of 2010, Dr. Moran was blessed with exercise science interns that

helped him to pilot programs not tied to specific courses. The response from the community was very overwhelming and he

quickly knew he needed to expand outreach of volunteers beyond the department of Kinesiology. In the spring of 2009, Dr.

Moran was fortunate to receive 3 years of funding from the US Department of Health and Human Services to create

Overcoming Barriers to launch year round physical activity opportunities for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities

throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

Background & History

Welcome to Empowerment3

Overcoming Barriers is our physical activity and wellness mentoring program for children, adolescents, and adults with

disabilities. The programs uses a one on one mentor/mentee model and is designed around the concept of "Empowerment".

Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities hoping to produce significant changes in self-efficacy. Through the

vehicle of physical activity and wellness programs, the programming assists each mentee to acquire the skills, knowledge, and

appropriate attitudes to achieve success and work towards making significant changes in health, wellness, function, and

community integration outcomes. Our programming is available to anyone with a disability or limitation which inhibits his or her

ability to participate in physical activity successfully with same age peers. This includes but is not limited to: Autism,

Emotional/Behavior Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Disabilities (including individuals who use wheelchairs),

Learning Disabilities, Hearing Impairments, Visual Impairments, Other Health Impairments, etc.

What is Overcoming Barriers?

What is Empowerment3? Empowerment3 is the center for physical activity and wellness for underserved youth. Overcoming Barriers is the primary

program offered under this JMU sponsored center. The creation of Empowerment3 demonstrated JMU’s commitment to

supporting the mission of Overcoming Barriers as well as providing a strong connection between teaching, research, and

service for underserved youth and individuals with disabilities throughout the Shenandoah Valley and across the state/region.

In addition to running Overcoming Barriers, Empowerment3 conducts numerous research projects each year (i.e. barriers to

participation; participation’s impact on wellness outcomes; Quadriciser; etc). The center also facilitates statewide outreach

events, such as a weeklong summer camp. The center’s mission is to empower and equip underserved youth, their parents,

college students (as future professionals) and community organizations to influence positive change in the immediate and

future communities.

Greetings Members of the Shenandoah Valley Community -

We are excited to launch our 6th year of the Empowerment3 Center and our 8th year of Overcoming Barriers programming.

 For those of you who are already part of the Overcoming Barriers Family, Welcome Back! For those of you who are hearing

about Overcoming Barriers and our Empowerment3 center for the first time - We welcome you with open arms and are

excited to meet you! Our center's mission is to use the vehicle of physical activity and mentorship to EMPOWER individuals

of ALL ABILITIES in our community.

Each year, we have the exciting challenge of welcoming and training a new team of students and staff! This year's team are

dedicated to providing the best quality programming possible for children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities. Each

have joined our Empowerment3 team because they want to maximize the abilities of each participant.

Our programs are open to all community members, regardless of age, ability, income status, etc. Many years ago, when I was

traveling around the country conducting sports camps for individuals with disabilities, I had family members, caregivers,

professionals, and community members share how great these opportunities were for their community. Unfortunately the

next sentence often was, "but I am not sure they will work for (fill in the blank with person's name). So I began putting at the

bottom of the camp flyer, "If you think your child can't do this, bring them and we will show you they can".  As executive

director of the Empowerment3 center, I stand behind this statement. Did this mean I always had the answers out of the

gate, "NO" but I was committed to doing all I could to ensure any child, adolescent, or adult with any disability had the

opportunity to be successful and I would not stop until success was achieved!  Our team is dedicated to working tirelessly

each week to help every mentee (participant) reach his or her potential. Some of my greatest moments with

Empowerment3 is seeing the look on a mentee or mentee's parent's face when he or she has done something they never

thought was possible! In those moments, disability melts away and ABILITY shines bright!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

I look forward to seeing each of you this fall.  Many Blessings and Thank You for your Support  

Dr. Tom Moran

Empowerment3 Executive Director

540-568-4877

overcomingbarriers@jmu.edu 

Dr. Moran ~ Empowerment3 Executive Director

Welcome from the E3 Team

I am so excited to continue working with Empowerment3 and Overcoming Barriers during the May/June 2019 semester! I have

worked with Overcoming Barriers for the past four years and have been so thankful to witness the growth of the mentees,

mentors, and the community in various ways. Thank you all for your continued support for the Empowerment3 team and for the

trust that you place in us. Please do not hesitate to reach out and provide ideas or feedback at any time. If you have any

questions or concerns throughout the semester regarding Overcoming Barriers, our programs, or any of our partners, please do

not hesitate to reach me at overcomingbarriers@jmu.edu or at (571)-439-6553!

Marin Deutrich - Empowerment3 Director of Communication & Family Contact

Fall 2019 Weekly Schedule

All programs are open to individuals of all abilities. Programs are adapted and modified

accordingly to fit the needs of all mentees. When possible, programs are divided into

groups based based on mentee age. All programs run for nine weeks from September 21st

through November 16th. See below for details.

Please note: These programs are reverse inclusion programs; although priority registration

will be given to individuals with disabilities. If you or your mentee would like to take part in a

program but do(es) not have a disability, please fill out a registration application and you

will be provided with more information via email on whether or not spots are available.

Please continue to read through this program guide to find specific dates and information

about each program. 

Fall 2019 Calendar

Fall 2019 Calendar

Fall 2019 Calendar

Activities will encourage children to participate in different sensory experiences including touch/deep pressure, kinesthetic input,

body/spatial awareness, as well as auditory and visual input. This program incorporates physical activity through the use of play

skills.

• For ages 2-5

•  Dates & Location: Mondays September 23rd – November 18th from 9:30 - 10:30 am  at Kinetic Kids Gym--4753 Spotswood Trail,

Penn Laird, VA

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Builders and Bulldozers

Program Descriptions and Details 

Kidnastics

Child-centered approach to teaching gymnastics that incorporates elements of traditional and educational gymnastics. Students

work at their own pace with their mentor on skills appropriate to their ability level. Skills focused on within Kidnastics include rolling,

balancing, vaulting (movement on your hands), and jumping.

• For ages 3-12

• Dates & Location: Wednesday September 25th – November 20th from 5:00-6:00 pm in  Godwin Hall on JMU Campus--261

Bluestone Dr Harrisonburg, VA

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Participants will learn about the importance of healthy eating and how to prepare basic meals, while taking part in activities that

promote the development of social skills. Participants will have a family-style meal at each session. For ages 8 and up.

• Dates & Location: Wednesday September 25th – November 20th from 5:00-6:00 pm, location to be determined before the start

of the program.

• Price: $65 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Dinner Club

Continue to the next pages for more program offerings and registration information.

Program Descriptions Continued 

Continue to the next pages for more program offerings and registration information.

The Elkton Community Center has partnered with us to create a program where all participants are winners! This program aims to

increase the confidence of all mentees while they develop sport, teamwork, and social skills. Mentees will participate in a wide

range of sports and fitness related games.

• For ages 4-22.

•  Dates & Location: Thursdays September 26th – November 21st from 5:00-6:00 pm at the Elkton Community Center--20593 Blue

& Gold Dr Elkton, VA

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Everybody Plays, Everybody Wins!

FitnessThis program will work on students' strength, flexibility, and cardio-respiratory endurance. Fitness takes place in the weight room in

Godwin Hall and involves using machinery such as treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and weight lifting machines.

• For ages 10-Adult

• Dates & Location: Tuesday September 26th – November 21st from 6:00-7:00 pm in Godwin Hall on JMU Campus --261 Bluestone

Dr Harrisonburg, VA

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

AquaticsWhether your child needs to gain the necessary skills to be able to become more independent in the water or they need to improve

their current swimming skills – this swimming program is designed to meet your child’s ability level. We have partnered with JMU

UREC to use two pools, a therapeutic pool and a fitness pool.

• For any age.

• Dates & Location: Saturdays September 21st – November 16th from 10:00-10:45 am OR 11:00-11:45 am at JMU UREC--701

Driver Drive Harrisonburg, VA

• Price: $75 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available) (Fee includes cost of facilities, lifeguards, and required staffing)

Program Descriptions Continued This program is designed for mentees who are sufficient swimmers. Mentees will take part in a program designed to increase their

swimming fitness and ability. Mentees who sign up for this program should be able to swim laps and have an interest in increasing

their endurance and improving their swimming technique. A swim test will be required on the first day of program. 

• For all ages

• Dates & Location: Sundays September 22nd – November 17th from 4:00-5:00 pm at JMU UREC--701 Driver Drive Harrisonburg,

VA

• Price: $75 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Master Aquatics

Project Inspire

Dance

This program teaches dance to children and adults in a variety of ways. We work on the components of dance, such as balance,

rhythm, and flexibility. At the end of the semester, we hold a recital for the participants to showcase the skills they have learned. 

• For all ages

• Dates & Location: Thursday September 26th – November 21st from 5:00-5:45 for ages 6-11 years old; 6:00-6:45 for ages 12 and

older at JMU UREC--701 Driver Drive Harrisonburg, VA

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

In this program, mentees will acquire sports-related skills, improve physical fitness, and learn about the human body. At the end of

the program, participants will display movement skills, routines to stay fit, have a sense of belonging, and an appreciation for the

science of movement.

• For ages 11-18. 

• Dates & Location: Tuesday September 24th – November 19th  from 6:00-7:00 pm at Edge Effect Fitness

• Price: $50 for all 9 sessions (Scholarships available)

Program Enrollment Requirements

1. Must submit all paperwork electronically or contact us over the phone to enroll. Mentees must participate in pre- fitness as well

as post-testing to enroll/participate. These testing dates are pre-built into the schedule for the semester. Failure to adhere to

these requirements could result a participant’s inability to participate next semester.  Without each participant’s data we may be

unable to secure funding to support future programs and keep fees down. The pre-post data has helped us secure funds to keep

fees the same for the last three semesters.

2. All required paperwork and program fees must be submitted at the start of the first program. Spots are limited and while you

may have a space reserved, your spot is not guaranteed until payment is received. Without submission of appropriate paperwork,

the organization could be held liable if an injury were to take place and documentation was not on file.

3. Agree to bring participant to all scheduled programs. If participant must miss a program due to illness, family conflict,

travel/weather concern, etc. – parent or guardian will notify specific program contact (in advance if possible). Please remember

each participant’s mentor is a volunteer and if participant does not show, the volunteer believes he or she is no longer needed and

often drops out, which leaves us shorthanded if the participant attends future weeks.

Appropriate Program Attire

1. Please ensure all participants have appropriate footwear (sneakers/tennis shoes) for land-based programs. Ensure

clean flip flops, crocs, or water shoes for water-based programs.

2. Please ensure all participants wear appropriate athletic wear to programs. Shorts or exercise pants, and t-shirt for land based

programs; one piece, shorts/t-shirt, or two-piece with cover for water-based programs. This is to ensure the safety of participants

as well as protect mentors and equipment.

Program Fees

1. The fees are listed next to each program. Scholarships are available - based on financial need. Applicants must provide written

justification. Scholarship participants are limited to one program. Scholarships are paid by independent donors who want to

support participants in our area. The mentee's spot is not guaranteed until payment or scholarship documentation is received. 

Inclement Weather Policy

1. If JMU OR Harrisonburg City Schools are closed, programs are automatically cancelled. If afternoon/evening

weather is deemed unsafe for parents/guardians and students, programs could be cancelled.

2. If programs are cancelled the day before or by 12:30pm that day – participants will be notified by e-mail. If cancellations are

made after 12:30pm, participants will receive a call. It will also be posted to our facebook page.

Photo Release

Overcoming Barriers often creates newsletters, training segments, promotional and/or educational materials. Photos may be

taken during programs. Indication that you would not like photos of your mentee taken must be identified on the registration form

if applicable. 

Program Policy 

Programs have strict minimums and maximums. Filling out a registration form

does not guarantee a mentee a spot in a program, but is a request to partake in

the program. Information will be provided by email within one week of filling out

the registration form. Please contact us at overcomingbarriers@jmu.edu if you

have any questions or concerns. 

Please register each mentee individually by using the online form via the link or QR

code below: 

https://www.cognitoforms.com/OvercomingBarriers1/Empowerment3Fall2019Re

gistration

Program Registration