In 1998 I read an article in our local paper about a team called the Poway Padres being formed but needed a coach. I had coached Pony Baseball teams for many years with my son and knew how dependent teams were on volunteers. Something struck me that here were young people with disabilities  that wanted to play baseball but had no one to help them. I made contact with the organizer, Nancy Greenwold, who said that she and her husband Doug were going to start that weekend and why don't i come out and see what i thought. That was over 22 years ago.

Nancy and Doug had just moved to Poway with their son David and had a Vision for creating housing, education and community support opportunities for other developmentally disabled adults'. I soon realized how meaningful it was to the families and players to be part of a team. Over the years, as the awareness of the program grew and I came to understand the many daily challenges confronting the families, I could see how the teams successes and being together could be used to create an awareness of the Special Needs community in the City.

I believe you will see on our website the impact that this team has had on the community and the lasting friendships that have been created.

The Foundation has been fortunate to have the support of many families, community leaders and civic officials over the past 22 years. 

The Mission of the Foundation, with your support, is to use our experience and knowledge to continue to identify housing, educational and personal health and wellness options for not only our local communities but for other communities as well. The goal of all of these efforts is create opportunities for their children to learn and grow to be more independent and fulfill their maximum potential..

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Regards,

 

Tony Rubino 

Founder President 

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