Families have always been central in the Special Olympics movement, but their voices are often under -represented in organizational decisions. That changed at the beginning of 2024 with the launch of the Global Family Leadership CouncilA uniform platform designed to give families a meaningful role in shaping programs, policy and initiatives worldwide.
The council grew from two separate initiatives. One was aimed at collecting family -input for large events such as the World Games and another dedicated to family health information. By combining these efforts, Special Olympics created a single council that tackles both involvement and health, while cooperation between departments.
“Our goal has always been to honor and serve families worldwide. We want families to be fully involved in the organization, feel that their voices are being heard and see the impact of their contributions, both for their athletes and for the wider movement.”
Hannah Helton, Senior Manager of Special Olympics, Family Engagement
“Families know best how to reach other families, such as those of them, and this council ensures that our health initiatives, from nutrition to fitness, are informed by those who live the experience every day,” said Jennifer Pittman, Special Olympics Manager, Healthy families. “Their insights have been invaluable in shaping programs that are both meaningful and effective.”
Council members come from different backgrounds – pearls, brothers and sisters and care providers – all of which represent seven regions. Their experiences are just as varied as powerful. The original council consisted of seven people, including Nauman Mehboob, the chairman, a father of three children with intellectual and developmental disorders from Pakistan.
“Families from all over the world, each of whom carried their own stories about resilience and hope, were united by a shared mission: raising, empowerment and include,” said Mehboob. “My pride does not come from the position; it comes from the people. It is about speaking for the mother in Morocco fighting for the dignity of her child, the father in Pakistan who turns love into advocacy, and the brother or sister who becomes a beacon of inclusion. These families are the heart movement of special Olympics and a worldwide voice.”
The first worldwide meeting of the council, held during the World Games in Berlin, brought members together for the first time. “It was remarkable to see them connect,” Helton recalled.
“They shared their experiences, learned from each other and generated new ideas for their regions. It was not just about policy, it was about connection, advocacy and building a global family.” Pittman added: “They helped us to develop a blueprint for family involvement. Their feedback led us in expanding health initiatives and ensuring that families have a stronger voice in the movement.”
For many councilors, the experience is deeply personal. “Families are Special Olympics’s backbone,” said Mehboob. “Through this council we build inclusive support systems that honor the potential of each athlete. Families are the heartbeat of the journey of each athlete. They are the first champions of inclusion, the non -repellent lawyers and the daily mentors that change love in leadership. Their presence is not limited to the side line.”
“Families create consciousness. They build bridges. They redefine the inclusion,” he continued. “And when they get up, they lift entire communities with them. That is the power of this movement and the inheritance that we build together.”
“The council has strengthened our work, extended our reach,” Pittman added. “They have ensured that the programs that we create really reflect the needs of families and athletes around the world.”
Looking ahead, the council will continue to serve as a bridge between families and the organization, shaping programs, policy and culture. The next council, which runs from 2026 to 2028, will build on this foundation and brings even more global perspectives in the heart of Special Olympics. “We are pleased to see that the next council has specific consequences for projects, to bring their voices even more visible in our work and to continue this legacy of leadership,” said Helton.
Through the Global Family Leadership Council, families are no longer behind the scenes, they are in the center that guide, advise and shape the future of Special Olympics worldwide.
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