History & Annual Report
STRIDE’s History
1984-1985: Project STRIDE skiing program begins at Ichabod Crane School District, Valatie NY.
1987: Organization formed called “Expect a Miracle” as a DBA
1987-1994: Ski program begins at Maple Ski Ridge in Schenectady
1989: Project STRIDE students participate in Empire State Games for the physically challenged; First Camp STRIDE trip at Moreau Lake State Park; First bowling program starts in East Greenbush, NY
1990: First Annual Masquerade Ball at the Albany Country Club which raised $4,200!
1991: STRIDE incorporates and receives non-profit designation
1992: First Challenger Little League program begins in NY
1994: Ski program moves from Maple Ridge to Jiminy Peak, MA with 12 volunteers
1995: First annual “Great Race” at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
1997: Sailing program starts at Camp Chingacook in Lake George, NY
1998: Swimming program started in Albany, NY
1999: First Whitewater rafting trip with Whitewater Challengers in North Creek, NY
2000: Catamount Snowsports and Brodie Mountain programs begin
2001: David H. Clark Memorial Fund established
2003: First Annual Teen Dance in Colonie, NY; Sailing starts at New York Sailing School in New Rochelle, NY; Snowshoeing program begins at Pineridge XC, NY
2004: First Annual Golf Tournament held at Winding Brook Country Club; STRIDE office established to Eames Plaza in Rensselaer NY
2005: Ski Sundown program begins; First Annual Wounded Warrior Snowsports Event held
2006: First Annual Capital District “Learn to Ride” Bike Clinic starts at HVCC
2007: Mary Ellen Whitney resigns teaching to work full-time as the CEO for STRIDE
2008: Golf program begins at Route Fore Golf; First Annual Wounded Warrior Camping Retreat
2009: STRIDE becomes a Paralympic Sport Club; Capital District Sled Warriors established; STRIDE Swimming “Stingrays” compete in NY Special Olympics; First STRIDE Dance program, run by teens at Isabella School of Dance
2010: STRIDE celebrates 25 years!
2011: SCORE Camp acquired, 86 acres leased in Chatham NY
2012: Archery range built at SCORE
2014: Yoga program established
2015: Wounded Warrior and youth athlete scuba diving certification; Bowling teams compete at NY Special Olympics
2017: STRIDE purchases property for new headquarters in West Sand Lake NY
2018: Major construction begins for SHARE Center with a Capital Campaign
2019: SHARE Center officially opens as a Community Fitness Education Center
2020: Pandemic hits the world in March. Indoor programs close; Kayak, Hiking and family snowshoe and camping retreats are a response to pandemic.
2021: Expanded and creative versions of outdoor programs and new virtual programs due to pandemic. Re-opening of some indoor programs later in the year with focus on fitness programs in the SHARE Center. Turnover of staff due to pandemic.
2022- 23: Expanded programs in the SHARE center; numbers begin to increase again.
2023-24 – STRIDE Founder & CEO Mary Ellen Whitney retires from the organization’s day-to-day management. Mary Ellen is continuing as Snowsports Director, overseeing programs at Jiminy Peak, Catamount & Titus.
Alex Brame is hired as STRIDE’s Executive Director.
Annual Reports
Please see our calendar for upcoming events.