It has been decades since Dalene set hersights on providing Special Olympics Sports opportunities to her community inLynn, MA. Dalene’s son was looking for a way to express his athleticism in theexisting structure of youth and school sports, nothing seemed to work until shediscovered Special Olympics Sports – training and competition for athletes withintellectual disabilities. After dipping her toe in as a parent, she saw thepotential and in the years that followed, she built a program that now supportsthe athletic, educational, and vocational needs of her community.

Everyone describes her ability tosimultaneously hold the athletes accountable while providing a supportive,caring, and kind space for physical, social, and personal growth. Dalene isSpecial Olympics in Lynn, Massachusetts and her impact will be felt forgenerations to come. On June 5, 2023, Dalene was inducted into the SpecialOlympics Massachusetts Hall of Fame alongside fellow coach and local programcoordinator, Lynn McCarthy of West Springfield and Special Olympics athlete,Ryan Dixon or Shrewsbury.

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Video credit: Erin Fish & Ali Phaneuf