Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation Awarded City of Jacksonville Public Service Grant

Brooks Rehabilitation is proud to announce that Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation (ASR) was awarded a generous $125,689 grant from the City of Jacksonville- Public Service Grants for 2023-2024.

Brooks ASR is dedicated to promoting lifelong health, well-being, and overall quality of life for people of all ages who have differing abilities. They provide weekly activities and special events where individuals can participate at either a recreational or competitive level in individual, team or virtual activities. Brooks goes the extra mile to ensure that everyone can participate in health-promoting activities by offering the program completely free of charge, including all necessary equipment, coaching, and even limited transportation.

“We are so thankful to the City of Jacksonville for this funding to ensure we can continue to provide our live and virtual sports, art and recreational programming. Through group activities, participants experience physical exercise, social connections, emotional support and peer education. We encourage friends and family to join in all activities, fostering inclusive experiences,” says Alice Krauss,M.Ed.,OTR/L, Manager, Adaptive Sports and Recreation.

A portion of the grant will also be used to start a new program in partnership with Jacksonville University – The NoteABLES, an adapted, non-professional community music ensemble led by board certified music therapist Danielle Porter, MM, MT-BC, NMT-F, Brooks Rehabilitation Music Therapy Coordinator. The weekly music practice sessions will take place at the Terry Music Hall at Jacksonville University and will be overseen by Brooks staff with the assistance of Jacksonville University student volunteers. Any community member with a disability who has current or previous skill in playing a musical instrument, or who would be willing to learn to play a simple percussion instrument, is invited to attend.

“Jacksonville University is proud to again collaborate with esteemed partner Brooks Rehabilitation on an adaptive music education program to empower individuals with disabilities for improving overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Music is a powerful language for all persons”, says Christine Sapienza, PHD, CCC-SLP, Dean of the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences at Jacksonville University.

At Brooks, we take great pride in our comprehensive approach to care, which goes beyond the confines of our hospitals and clinics. For more information about Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation, please visit brooksadaptivesportsandrecreation.org.

Pictured left to right: Alice Krauss, M.ED.,OTR/L, Manager, Adaptive Sports and Recreation, and Danielle Porter, MM, MT-BC, NMT-F, Brooks Rehabilitation Music Therapy Coordinator.