Think Alive, founded by Tim Enfield, provides grants in any area that an applicant requests, such as horseback riding, music lessons or acting classes.
Members of the Think Alive Action Committee discuss strategy in a classroom at the University of Massachusetts. The non-profit raises money for youngsters with disabilities and celebrates their achievements at special receptions. Pictured here, from left founder Tim Enfield, to his left, Christian Waterman, Vuk Whallon and Kenny Francis, far right. AMHERST – Growing up with cerebral palsy, Tim Enfield spent a lot of time on the sidelines watching.
But watching wasn't enough. He pushed himself to learn to tie his shoes with the one hand with working fingers, to swim and to play basketball. He wanted to participate in the 800-meter run in the International Paralympic Games, but didn't have the money to make it to the trials.
So he founded an organization to provide money and support to help the disabled pursue their dreams. While a student at Wake Forest University in North Carolina last year, he started Think Alive, which recently received non-profit status.
It was a one-man operation until his transfer to the sport management program at the University of Massachusetts in the fall. The project is now a passion shared by four others, and with that the program is growing.
Enfield and the three other members of the so-called Action Committee postponed studying for final exams earlier this month to talk about their mission to inspire youngsters with disabilities.
The foundation raises money and awards grants to students at special ceremonies, as a way to encourage and inspire. Seven achievement grants were awarded to youngsters in town last month.
The grant goes for the activity the student wants to pursue, whether it is horseback riding, music lessons or kung fu classes.
"We're asking kids to come to us with a goal," said Action Committee member Christian Waterman, who is also vice president of the Association of Diversity in Sport. He said he became involved because "we're all interested in social justice, making grass roots changes."
Enfield said he wants to impart to youngsters, "you can't go anywhere (in life) without taking a risk. Through that, you better yourself. We're all about taking the next ... steps."
One such grant went to Olivia Smulyan to help her pay for fiddle camp.
Smulyan, who is 19, has Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes learning difficulties. Her mother Joan Cornachio said her daughter "is really putting herself out there in the past year." She said receiving the grant helps affirm to her daughter that she can have a full life, regardless of her disability.
"I think Tim is fabulous," she said.
Waterman said Enfield shows "what happens when you set goals ... We work with him and it's easy to forget Tim has a disability. Tim is a great role model."
"We're breaking down the walls that those disabilities represent," Waterman said.
Since they're all students, Enfield said he thinks "our age helps a lot when connecting to the adolescents. We're making them feel special," Enfield said.
For more information, or to donate, visit http://www.thinkalive.org.