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10/11/2017 08:30 AMScott Elliott has a busy year ahead of him. As a senior at Xavier High School, he’s studying for his SATs and playing lacrosse while completing an internship with a local financial firm.
However, most of Scott’s recreation time is already spoken for, devoted to 1BigCircle, a social group that brings together local young people and their peers with special needs—all in the spirit of friendship.
Scott’s motivation to create 1BigCircle was close to his Killingworth home.
“My brother Daniel has Down syndrome. He’s 19 now and he was the inspiration for 1BigCircle,” he says.
“As kids with special needs get older there are less social activities and opportunities to interact and make new friends than there are for young people without disabilities. I wanted to provide Daniel and his friends with special needs that opportunity.”
President and founder of 1BigCircle, Scott rallied a team of his classmates to sign on as board members and established the non-profit organization in December 2016.
“The special needs community are very supportive of what we do and people are very pleased their family member has the opportunity for new experiences and more social activities,” he says.
There are now 25 regular 1BigCircle participants ranging in age from 13 to 44 years, and the group welcomes new faces.
“We don’t exclude anyone,” Scott says. “Our participants have a great time and love making new friends. They get excited about the events and love wearing their 1BigCircle uniforms.”
This year, 1BigCircle has hosted hikes and beach parties; fitness activities including yoga, cycling, and body circuit classes; and more.
“We’ve worked hard to have different experiences. As well as fitness events, we’ve attended events such as the 350th Anniversary Town Picnic in Killingworth together. Everyone got involved in all the recreational activities at the event and had a great time.”
This fall, 1BigCircle has planned a party at Clinton Beach and a charity walk as well as a new 12-week spin and gym fitness program, adapted for people with special needs. All activities are supported by 1BigCircle’s team of more than 20 enthusiastic young high school volunteers from Killingworth, Madison, Clinton, and Haddam.
“Our volunteers say they enjoy 1BigCircle because it’s a friendly and positive environment. They are making new friends they may not otherwise have met while doing things that are active,” Scott says. “Everyone comes in a good mood, ready to go with the flow. They get to help other people and be involved with the special needs community in a way that’s fun.”
Scott says the group is thankful for the great support received from local businesses and professionals, allowing all 1BigCircle events and programs to be free for participants.
“The community support has been great and we haven’t struggled to get it. We’ve had trainers devote their time and local gyms donate spaces for us to meet. We’ve had sponsorships and donations that have helped buy shirts and hats for all the participants and volunteers,” he says.
“Last month, we had a table at the Special Needs Awareness Day at Chatfield Hollow. Lots of people were signing up and wanting to talk about our new programs,” he says. “It was a good experience to meet with other local organizations helping people with special needs.”
Scott has been involved with Special Olympics for many years, supporting Daniel who played basketball, baseball, and track and field with the organization. 1BigCircle also administers a Special Olympics program called Unified Sports Fitness Club that gives each participant a free Movband, tracking their steps with prizes for individual and team achievement.
“I began volunteering to support Daniel and spend time with him, and I found I really enjoy working with the special needs community,” he says. “Special Olympics is great, but 1BigCircle is unique because it offers a recreational climate to meet friends without the competitive aspects.”
Establishing a new non-profit organization was a steep learning curve for the high school senior.
“Personally, I’ve learned a great deal from setting up an organization and managing all aspects to ensure its continuity and success, such as sponsorship and participation,” he says.
“I have three goals for the future of 1BigCircle: first, increasing the general fitness level of the special needs community on the shoreline; second, creating new friendship opportunities for special needs people with social opportunities; and third, growing and expanding the group into different parts of the state.”
Scott attended Killingworth Elementary and Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, and lives in town with his parents, Tim and Pearl, and brother, Daniel.
“I always knew that my brother was different to other kids and that our roles were unusual. When we were young, even though he was older than me, I was the one making sure he didn’t walk on to a road or wander off when my parents weren’t nearby,” he says.
“Growing up with Daniel has given me a greater perspective on life. I always want to be someone that my brother can depend on, now and in the future, when my parents may not be around. It’s a unique experience—and it’s been great.”
Daniel is completing his education at Haddam-Killingworth High School, while also participating in a job training program.
“Daniel’s the happiest person I’ve ever met. He’s kind and always smiling.” Scott says. “He folds towels at a local gym and helps at a bookstore in Middletown. Daniel just loves work and helping people.”
Scott hopes to attend Georgetown University or University of Pennsylvania next year and has his sight set on a future in finance.
“I’ve always been a numbers guy, so it’s a good fit for me. Money has a bad reputation, I guess, but there’s a lot of good you can do with it. I’m interested in philanthropy and helping people.”
In preparation, Scott and his team are already committed to ensuring the future of 1BigCircle.
“We’ve got some great young people on board, local high school sophomores, that are interested in stepping into board roles. We’ve been working with them to understand the responsibilities and duties of the job and, also the resources and the relationships that we’ve built, to it will keep running well into the future,” he says.
Scott and the 1BigCircle team are working hard to spread the word and hope that more local people—volunteers, participants, and sponsors—will join the group.
“From a young age, I’ve been connected with the special needs community and it’s given me a greater understanding, and greater care for, other people,” he says. “You can start small and build something really great. You can make a real difference in this community and it’s very rewarding.”
For more information on 1BigCircle, visit 1bigcircle.org or email contact.1bigcircle@gmail.com.