RACE4CHASE CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT

CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation (Approved 501(c)(3))

Vision: To turn tragedy into triumph by healing and strengthening our families and communities.

Mission: In remembrance of Chase Kowalski, the students and educators of the Sandy Hook tragedy, we will be a positive force to inspire community healing through family and children-focused initiatives and programs. By focusing on emotional healing and physical health and wellness, we will positively change the lives of children and their families.

Origins: Chase Kowalski was an amazing son, brother, and friend who was taken from us on 12/14/12 in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Chase’s heart was filled with love and he touched all of the people that he came into contact with. He loved sports of all kinds and had an incredibly competitive spirit. Among Chase's favorite sports were baseball, auto racing, and running. In fact, Chase began running competitively at age 2 in track races. At age 6, Chase asked to be entered into his first triathlon – in his first ever competition, he took on the field and won his age group!

The Kowalski family wanted to capture Chase’s competitive spirit and vitality in creating a charity in his honor with a focus on health and wellness for children and their families. CMAK (Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski) Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation has pursued programs and initiatives that encourage personal improvement, healthy lifestyles and strong family and communities.

Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon Program

Chase’s Inspiration

Chase Kowalski loved to run, taught himself to swim and spent much of his afternoons on his bike racing over his course in his backyard when the weather cooperated. At six years of age, he asked his parents to find him a triathlon to compete in. He successfully completed his first triathlon and won his age group! He was very proud of his accomplishment sharing his success with friends and teachers and taking great care not to wash off his race number marked on his arms. It is only fitting that CMAK would support a program to give other children the same opportunity to train and complete this challenging race, and honor Chase at the same time.

Program Overview:

The Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon program is a youth triathlon program aimed to provide kids aged 6 to 12 with a safe, healthy non-competitive environment to discover the sport of triathlon. It brings together kids from all different backgrounds and educates them on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle, coaches them to develop a foundation of athletic skills, and inspires them to aim high in sports and in life.

Designed as a six week goal oriented summer program, it provides kids with expert instruction in swimming, cycling, running, strength training and flexibility, and also teaches them the fundamentals of good nutrition, under the supportive guidance of coaches, lifeguards and instructors.

Implementing a custom-designed training program, the coaches provide the youth athletes with all the equipment, knowledge, and one-on-one support they need to become tri-athletes. At the culmination of the training camp, all the youth athletes come together to compete in a USAT-sanctioned triathlon race.

Program Details:

-Monday through Friday (Minimum of 3 hours per day) over a six week summer session to train youth in the sport of triathlon.

-Each program is run by a trained head coach and coaching assistants (Ratio of one coach per 8 athletes, serving a minimum of 30 and a maximum 40 youth athletes).

-Breakfast and lunch may be provided to the athletes every day of the program (optional based upon need and availability).

-At the end of the program, all the athletes in each community compete in a short course USAT-sanctioned youth triathlon race.

-All athletes are instructed in swimming, biking and running and are also taught the fundamentals of good nutrition, strength and flexibility.

-Guest coaches and athletes share their experiences on how participating in the sport of triathlon and being fit and healthy has helped them succeed in life.

-The program is free for all participants.

2014 Locations and Programs:

Race4Chase Kid’s Triathlon Program operated at three locations in the summer of 2014; namely, Greater Waterbury YMCA, Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut (Danbury-Brookfield) and Coastal Connecticut YMCA (Lakewood-Trumbull). These three programs met on Saturday, August 2nd at YMCA Camp Mataucha in Watertown CT and successfully completed a USAT-Sanctioned short course triathlon.

RACE4CHASE CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT

Grant Process Overview:

The Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent for the 2015 Race4Chase Youth Triathlon Program. The letter of intent will require host sites

  1. Letter of Intent will be due by November 1, 2014.
  2. Acceptance or denial letters will be sent out mid November.
  3. Organization invited to apply will receive a grant applicationby December 1, 2014.
  4. Completed grant application will be due December 31, 2014.
  5. Award letters will be sent out January 31, 2015.

Eligibility:

  1. A public institution or private tax exempt organization under Sections 501 (c)3 of the Internal Revenue code or municipality.
  2. Been recognized as a 501 (c)3 or department of a municipality for more than five (5) years.
  3. Host site is able to provide a safe and secure environment for youth to be able to swim, bike and run.
  4. Has a proven track record to sustain grant funded programs overtime.

Grant Amounts and Duration:

The Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski Foundation will fund up to five (5) additional Host sites for 2015. Each host site will be funded up to three (3) years based on financial resources of the Foundation, outcomes reported by the host site and recommendations for the Program Administrator. Funding will consist of the following:

Year 1: $7500

Year 2: $4000

Year 3: $3000

* Additional funding may be available after the 3rd year.

Each year the CMAK Foundation will provide the following:

  1. (1) program shirt per participant
  2. (1) race day shirt per participant
  3. (2) staff shirts per staff
  4. Race day volunteers shirts based on the number of volunteers (based on inventory)
  5. Race day medals
  6. Race day swim caps
  7. Program Manual
  8. Administration Manual

CMAK Foundation will provide the following one-time program start up supplies:

  1. Race4Chase Scrim
  2. Bikes will be provided based on program need and availability of inventory.
  3. Helmets will be provided based on program need and availability of inventory.

Commitment from Host Site:

Provide additional funding, resources and commitment to ensure the Race4Chase Youth Triathlon Program is sustainable during and after the funding cycle.

Letter of Intent should Include the following:

  1. Name of the Organization and year of establishment
  2. Name and title of contact person
  3. Address
  4. Phone #
  5. Email of contact person
  6. Web Site of the Organization
  7. Proof of sustaining a grant funded program (250 word count)
  8. Provide an overview - Why do you believe your organizations should be considered to be one of the five new host sites? Please provide examples of experience in running youth triathlons or equivalent. Please provide what facilities and amenities your organization has available to facilitate this program. (500 word count)

Please send Letter of Intent to attention Jim O’Rourke, CEO of the Greater Waterbury YMCA, 136 West Main Street, Waterbury CT 06702. For questions please email or 203-754-9622 ext. 117.

1