A new Special Olympics program is coming to Torrance this week, and local residents can play a direct role in getting it started.

Special Olympics Southern California’s Young Athletes program is designed for children ages 2 through 7, both with and without intellectual disabilities. Rather than focusing on competition, the program uses games and physical activity to help young children develop balance, coordination, strength, motor skills, confidence and social connections.

The Torrance program begins Friday, September 11, and runs Friday afternoons through October 23.

Special Olympics is currently recruiting several types of volunteers, including head coaches, coaches and team volunteers. Most roles involve approximately two hours a week for the seven-week session.

And you don’t necessarily need a coaching résumé.

Team volunteers can help children participate in activities, assist with equipment and setup, welcome families and help create an encouraging environment. Some volunteer opportunities are available to teens as young as 14, while coaching roles have additional age, training and screening requirements.

The larger goal is simple but important: introduce children to movement and sports in a place where different abilities are expected, included and celebrated.

For a couple of hours on a Friday afternoon, a Torrance volunteer could help a very young athlete discover that sports are for them, too.

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