Expanding our reach

Doing more, together

People of action come from every background and are in every community. They may be Rotary members or other local leaders who share our passion for service and friendship. We expand Rotary’s capacity for doing good when we welcome and engage people who represent a variety of experiences, cultures, and perspectives.

District 5450 (Colorado, USA) and Easterseals Colorado teamed up to develop a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program for teenagers with physical disabilities. During the weeklong summer camp, attendees have fun in a welcoming and inclusive environment while trained medical staff and counselors offer specialized support. Campers practice teamwork, problem-solving, and overcoming physical challenges. They make new friends and build self-confidence. Many campers return the following year as junior counselors, learning leadership skills and creating a memorable experience for others. This program was a runner-up in the Leaders in RYLA Awards, which recognize exceptional RYLA events.

In Brazil, children with visual impairments will receive a better education through a partnership between the Rotary Club of São Paulo-Liberdade, São Paulo; the Rotary Club of Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, Japan; and the Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. Through a global grant from The Rotary Foundation, 169 teachers learned how to tailor learning environments, adapt materials, read Braille, and work with specialized equipment. The partnership has helped address a larger issue in Brazil: the need to expand training for educators so they can enhance classroom instruction and improve outcomes for students with visual impairments.