Health Messengers
Special Olympics athletes trained to serve as health and wellness leaders, educators, advocates, and role models within their communities.
Leading Healthy Lifestyles
People with intellectual disabilities face significant health disparities and barriers to high-quality healthcare. Special Olympics Alaska Health Messengers tackle this head-on by leading health activations, teaching healthy habits to teammates, and advocating for inclusive health services across Alaska.
Our Messengers are trained, certified, and supported by mentors to lead change. From Fairbanks to Anchorage, they serve as the premier voices of the inclusive health movement.
Empowerment
Health Messengers build confidence to serve as fitness leaders, educators, and role models within their communities.
Community Impact
Messengers lead wellness campaigns and raise awareness to help build inclusive spaces for people of all abilities.
Leadership & Advocacy
Trained Messengers work with external health institutions to make their services and programming fully accessible.
Typical Leadership Roles
Health Messengers leverage their unique talents and passions to serve in one or multiple leadership capacities.
Spokesperson
Speak on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities about health needs and barriers. Messengers attend meetings with health partners and influencers to advocate for inclusion.
Healthy Athletes Coordinator
Guide athletes through healthy screenings, recruit participants, serve as peer educators at health stations, and assist with screening event logistics.
Healthy Habits Leader
Design, organize, and implement health education stations at games and events. Deliver interactive lessons on hydration, nutrition, and wellness.
Health & Fitness Leader
Promote healthy lifestyles through practice fitness clubs, athlete goal-setting, peer-led exercise sessions, and ongoing wellness education.
Health Messengers in Action
Darci's Fitness Force
Darci uses her platform as a Special Olympics Alaska Health Messenger to inspire teammates, lead fitness groups, and demonstrate the power of healthy eating and active living in Alaska.
Ayesha's Healthy Habit Campaign
Ayesha Abdul Jillil serves as a certified Health Messenger and has dedicated her efforts to advocating for healthcare providers to deliver better, more inclusive services for Alaskans with intellectual disabilities.
Inclusive Health Manager
Want to become a certified Health Messenger, sponsor our inclusive fitness programs, or invite Messengers to speak at your clinic or school?
Emily Vandergon
Inclusive Health Manager
Office: 3200 Mountain View Dr. Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: emily2@specialolympicsalaska.org
Phone: 907-222-7625 ext. 612
