SPIRE Academy is pleased and grateful to announce that for the fourth time, the school has received a grant from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. This funding provides a vital boost to the twice-weekly Veterans Adaptive Sports and Fitness Training Program, which consists of 14 hours of training and coaching time each week (for 46 weeks) during a 12-month period. Through this program, the school works closely with the Cleveland VA Medical Center and Erie VA to offer adaptive programming to over 40 veterans located in northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.

As part of this training, SPIRE’s dedicated coaching staff guides veterans with disabilities through a wide range of adaptive sports, from powerlifting to wheelchair basketball and softball, swimming, boccia, pickleball, disc golf and CrossFit. The results have been phenomenal with participants achieving remarkable progress, not only in their athletic pursuits but also in their daily physical and mental well-being. In addition to gaining strength, shedding pounds, building confidence and making lasting friendships, 15 veterans proudly brought home an impressive total of 34 medals from the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Portland, Oregon this past July.

SPIRE Academy extends its heartfelt gratitude to the US Department of Veterans Affairs for their unwavering support, helping our veterans thrive through the power of sports.