North Jersey Navigators Earn Award for Enhancing the Lives of Individuals with Disabilities through Recreation and Sports
On April 30th, the North Jersey Navigators—an adaptive sports team for junior athletes with disabilities—won the Ted Kaplan Exemplary Recreation Group Award for providing unique opportunities that enhance the leisure lifestyle of people with disabilities through recreation and sports. Kessler Foundation nominated the team for the award, which was given by the New Jersey Commission on Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities (NJCRID).
“Kessler Foundation has partnered with the North Jersey Navigators for more than a decade,” said Elaine E. Katz, senior vice president of Grants & Communications at Kessler Foundation. “We are thrilled with their progress and achievements over the years to provide recreational opportunities and improve the independence of young people with disabilities. “We’re delighted that this elite organization was chosen by the NJCRID to receive the Ted Kaplan Award.”
Since 2005, the Foundation has awarded six grants to the Navigators to expand the team and cover equipment and travel costs. The Navigators compete in local, national, and international competitions. Individuals who join the team gain confidence and independence, and become exemplary athletes in road-racing and track, archery, swimming, table tennis, and other sports. Navigator Raymond Martin competed in the 2012 London Paralympics, where he won all gold medals in four racing events. For his incredible performance, he was named the Paralympic Sportsman of the Year. Head Coach Jim Cuevas was also selected to coach Team USA in Track & Field at the Paralympics. Twelve Navigators participated in the 2012 National Junior Disability Championships. Together, they netted a record-breaking 118 medals, 88 were gold.
Having a son with a disability, Coach Cuevas has experienced the challenges for inclusion that youth with disabilities and their families face when finding recreational opportunities. As families witness the changes in the health and development of their children after joining the Navigators, they look for even more possibilities. Athletes go on to achieve greatness, advance their education, and begin careers. The Navigators are run by volunteers, mostly parents of athletes on the team.
The Ted Kaplan Exemplary Recreation Group Award recognizes a recreation group, club or sports team (two or more individuals with disabilities) that implements a unique team activity or activities to enhance the leisure lifestyle of individuals with disabilities through recreation or sports activities.
IN THE PHOTO: (back row) Secretary of the NJCRID Board Linda Halm, North Jersey Navigators Head Coach Jim Cuevas, his wife and Track & Field Coach Isabel Cuevas, Assistant Coach Daniel Martin, and (front row) Chair of the NJCRID Board of Directors Marta Haviland.
