As Bike to the Beach continues to build its network of mission-focused organizations across the country, we want to take time to put spotlights on some of those amazing organizations and individuals who have taken the time and energy to help make Bike to the Beach events what they are today:
Supportabilities Spotlight
This spotlight article is focused on Josh Zilinskas and the amazing organization he co-founded, Supportabilities. He was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to sit down and have an hour long conversation about their history, involvement with Bike to the Beach and the ADD network, current and future goals, and all the ways they help to develop their program participants’ athletic abilities to their fullest potential.
Before diving any further into the programs that they offer, we want to take a pause to remember Supportabilities co-founder, Jay Silverman, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. His passion for helping others push past labels and unlock their full athletic potential is something that helped make the organization what it is today. Through continuing to grow the geographic reach of Supportabilities programs, especially boxing, and the efforts of every trainer/employee at Supportabilities, Josh is certain the torch Jay helped light will continue to shine brightly.
After graduation, Josh spent a year working as a family therapist doing one on one sessions with the families of IDD individuals before going off on his own to do consulting work with the same population he was working with as a therapist. Like anyone who has grown up in an area with the type of winters that make you question if the sun will ever shine again, the thought of year-round sunshine proved irresistible to Josh. When he received an offer from the Broward County YMCA to work in their Sport Buddies and Therapy program, he jumped at it. Over the course of the next year, Josh worked with high school teens in a one on one setting, creating and training them with individualized plans for soccer, swimming, basketball and cheerleading. When the YMCA didn’t show interest in continuing to expand and strengthen the program, Josh knew it was time to go out on his own and pursue this path of in-depth training and create a holistic approach that would allow him to make a real difference. It was in the next year that the seed first planted so many years before took shape, emerging as Supportabilites.
Getting back to the conversation with Josh, let’s dive straight into what Supportabilities does in supporting the IDD community on a day to day basis. Since 2015, they have been helping to develop and support the athletic abilities of IDD athletes/individuals throughout Central and Southern Florida. To do so, Supportabilities utilizes all-inclusive full scale training programs designed to provide social, emotional and physical support for their participants. This holistic approach is driven by an ideal that lies at the heart of Supportabilities mission, promoting positivity through focusing on what their program participants CAN do, not what they can’t, and giving these athletes the respect and dignity they deserve, preparing their athletes to succeed at their highest ability in their respective competitions.
The collaboration between Bike to the Beach and Supportabilities began innocuously when Ben Dalley, founder of B2B, reached out to Josh just looking to add another IDD non-profit to his growing network. At the time, Ben was looking for local partners while starting to plan B2B events across the country, and once the two got on the phone, the connection was immediate. Ever since then, Supportabilities has been a proud supporter and fundraiser for Bike to the Beach events.
Each year, Josh gathers a group of their athletes and heads on down to the B2B Florida race to show their support and help out however they can, bringing their positive attitudes and whatever funds they raised along with them. At this point, Supportabilities has turned all their fundraising efforts towards supporting Bike to the Beach. All this effort is very worth it for S.A., as they have been able to utilize the ADD network to build bridges with other similar nonprofits across the country and tap into the funds plus other resources that the ADD network offers. It has allowed S.A. to trade tips and tricks for creating training programs/curriculum, best staff training techniques and find ways to expand on the important work they are already doing.
The last three years have seemingly been a non-stop whirlwind, from COVID to the deep societal unrest coming to the surface from all sides across the country. Throughout it all, including the aforementioned passing of Jay, Josh remained focused on doing whatever he could to keep the wheels in motion.
The long hours and tireless effort is starting to pay off, and as the sun begins to shine down again, Supportabilities are poised to capitalize on the new connections/partners they made through the ADD network.
Currently, they are working on opening up a new training space in the Greater Detroit area to expand on the remote program they offer there. They have also been able to set up remote programming in Maryland through the Keane Foundation, bringing the S.A. mission to those who aren’t able to move down to Florida. Additionally, S.A. is in the process of finalizing partnerships to bring their programs up to Northern Florida, with plans to set up shop in the Greater Orlando area.
Beyond opening up new territory to spread their message, those funds from the ADD network have allowed S.A. to mitigate the costs of program participation for the many families who are in need of their services but aren’t in the position to be dropping thousands of dollars on it. One of the facts that makes Josh smile-wide is that S.A. has never turned away an individual due to their financial circumstances. By dropping the families’ cost to $2 above the expenses for one on one training and offering group classes for free to those in need, S.A. is able to help those who are often left behind in the shuffle.
To find out how you can help support Supportabilities in their mission, head to their website and take a look around and if you want to see Josh and his team in action, sign on up for the Bike to the Beach Florida Ride. We promise it’s worth it, because doing something for someone else and contributing to a cause larger than you is the best way to understand just how important it is to treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter what.
Real Stores. Real People.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are not just good friends and neighbors; they are essential, cherished members of our communities. They are a source of joy, love, and support to their families, schools, businesses, and houses of worship. They have their own unique talents and abilities, but also many common traits with everyone else—and with the right encouragement and assistance, anything is possible.
