Courage Center Gains $75,000 Grant for Paralympic Programs

has been selected to receive $75,000 in grant funding for Paralympic programming.

U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, selected the grant winners. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funded the grants.

The Operation Liberty program will use the money for "sport and physical activity programming for disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces," according to a news release from Sue Warner, Courage Center communications specialist.

“The grant funding gives Courage Center the opportunity to give back to disabled and injured veterans, helping them discover or rediscover competitive and athletic activities,” said Ta'avasa “JR” Mamea, Paralympic sports coordinator/Operation Liberty with Courage Center.

"Research has shown that regular participation in physical activity has a positive effect on a client’s rehabilitation, self-esteem, education, employment and overall health," according to Warner's news release.

“These grants provide more outlets for our disabled veterans and injured service men and women to stay active and perhaps, ultimately, the opportunity to take their athleticism to the next level of competition as a U.S. Paralympian," said Chris Nowak, director of VA National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events.

Operation Liberty programming will be offered free to veterans, thanks to the grant funding, Warner wrote in the news release.