Note: Organizations can import an entire calendar and any new events the organization adds to its calendar will then appear on this site. To import your calendar:Create an Org right here on this page. Remember to add appropriate tags!Import a calendar and use the dropdown to associate it with the organization you createdNameWebsiteDescription <p><strong>EMPOWERING ATHLETES</strong></p> <p><strong>About Us</strong></p> <p>Gliding Stars of Central Florida is an adaptive ice-skating program that enables individuals with disabilities the opportunity for physical, social, and emotional growth by fostering a team-oriented, safe, and accepting environment, that allows one to break through barriers to accomplish their dreams.</p> <p>Gliding Stars of Central Florida, Inc. became an independent not-for-profit organization on October 11, 2022. We are a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Previously, for over 20 years, we were a chapter of an organization, based in Buffalo, New York - Gliding Stars, Inc. - that developed multiple chapters in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Florida. With our launch as an independent organization, the team at Gliding Stars of Central Florida continues to work towards promoting our cause to provide opportunities for persons with disabilities to grow physically, socially, and emotionally through our program of adaptive ice skating instruction. We are fortunate to have volunteers and staff from all walks of life who bring their unique expertise and resources into everything we do.</p> <p><strong>This is what enables us to achieve our goals year after year.</strong></p> <p>While there is always more that can be done, there is no doubt that we are making a significant impact in our community. We measure success through happy faces and heartwarming feedback. See how you can become part of the difference.</p> <p><strong>Our Mission</strong></p> <p><strong>Enhance social and emotional connections within and beyond.</strong></p> <p><strong>Empower individuals with disabilities.</strong></p> <p><strong>Expand access to athletic participation privileges in the world of figure skating.</strong></p> <p>The Gliding Stars of Central Florida is an adaptive ice-skating program that enables individuals with disabilities the opportunity for physical, social, and emotional growth by fostering a team-oriented, safe, and accepting environment, that allows one to break through barriers to accomplish their dreams.</p> <p><strong>More about us</strong></p> <p>In today's sports world, diverse, effective and proactive commitment is sought to enhance future athletic growth. Gliding Stars of Central Florida is dedicated to benefiting individuals with disabilities that are searching for adaptive athletic options, with equipment, in the sport of figure skating. Through collaborative efforts with Gliding Stars, Inc and the United States Figure Skating Association/Learn to Skate/Special Olympics/Adaptive instructional programming and strategic initiatives, we aim to serve adaptive athlete options on the ice, while supporting their figure skating journey into competition.</p> <p>Since 2005 Gliding Stars of Central Florida, Inc (fka Gliding Stars, Inc) has been represented through a National organization within the figure skating community, and through a 2022 transition to a local 5013c nonprofit, we have assisted an average of 23 athletes and 65 volunteers each season. We realize that acquiring and maintaining appropriately trained volunteers to assist aspiring adaptive athletes that utilize equipment, requires compliance, necessary education advancements and improved applicable strategies for development within the figure skating community. Positioning Gliding Stars of Central Florida as an adaptive group within the United States Figure Skating and Learn to Skate platforms, provides strategic, supported and balanced advancements for additional athletes to compete through select programs at higher levels of competency.</p> <p>Our crawl, walk, run style approach program also provides adaptive equipment, such as patented ice skates, walkers and helmets that a prototypical sport would not offer an athlete. Providing foundationally sound community wide adaptive figure skating options, increases social, emotional and physical connections that are diverse, modified and functionally compliant for rink leaders and facilities, rooted in the U.S. Figure Skating and Learn to Skate learning modalities. Highlighting accomplishments and skills growth are also necessary to strengthen athlete and community confidence in adaptive programming, which advances the development of adaptive athletes.Supporting physical benefits of improved posture, fine and gross motor coordination, strengthened muscles and improved balance and coordination, this instructional program also brings people with and without disabilities together in a team-oriented, safe environment. Our distinct program develops increased confidence and social skills for each skater, which carries over from sport to home as well. The achievement of progressive goals in an emotionally supportive atmosphere creates a positive self-image, enhancing quality of life and seeding success in the future.</p> <p> </p> Organization locationContact nameContact form urlContact emailContact phoneInstagramFacebookTagsAdd applicable events tags. Start typing to see options to select. You can enter custom text and hit the + to lock it in.Cancel