Ocean Positive receives grant to further their outreach

SOMERS POINT, NJ – JANUARY 14, 2022 – BRUCKNER CHASE OCEAN POSITIVE is honored to announce that it has been awarded $24,000 as part of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) 2021 2^nd Cycle Direct Effect Quality of Life grants. Sixty-seven grants totaling $1,403,071 were awarded. The Quality of Life Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations that empower individuals living with paralysis. Since the Quality of Life Grants Program’s inception, more than 3,490 grants totaling over $36 million have been awarded. Funding for this program was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living (ACL grant #90PRRC0006-01-00).

The Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center has several grants under the Quality of Life program awarding grants in different category areas, varying in different amounts. The Direct Effect Quality of Life grants program funds organizations up to $25,000 to support a wide range of projects and activities that will impact individuals living with paralysis and their families.

“This cycle of Direct Effect grant projects offers a robust and impactful addition to our Quality of Life grants program,” said Mark Bogosian, Director, Quality of Life Grants Program, Reeve Foundation. “Grant funds are supporting wide-ranging projects including accessible community areas, adaptive sports and fitness & wellness, consumer education, peer mentoring & support, and transportation. These projects represent the true essence of our Quality of Life grants program by fostering inclusion, involvement and community engagement, and promoting health and wellness for those affected by paralysis.”

BRUCKNER CHASE OCEAN POSITIVE will use the grant for the Blue Journey Unified program that was created in cooperation with the Bacharach Rehabilitation Hospital in 2012 to bring together people with and without Spinal Cord Injuries and Disease (SCI/D) for open-water recreation, fitness, and competition through the removal of physical and social barriers while also providing an ongoing, sustainable impact on quality of life and the development of community. The program utilizes aquatic activities practiced in surf lifesaving sports around the world including swimming, prone paddle boarding and surf ski kayaking. The Reeve Foundation grant will help expand the existing program offerings including the improvement of access and adaptive facilities for use by anyone in the community at primary training venues including the newly renovated Beesley’s Point recreation area in Upper Township. Ocean Positive will also improve the ongoing availability of aquatic chairs, increase the amount of sports equipment available and increase the frequency of ongoing sessions at existing facilities. Additionally, the expansion will provide those wanting to compete at a higher level more access to coached and supported training times and adaptive sports equipment.

Through these program and venue enhancements Ocean Positive will further its vision of empowering people with SCI/D to lead healthier and more inclusive lives at a higher quality of life connected to our natural waters and a diverse, supportive local community.

“When Bacharach first approached me in 2012 about developing an open water-based program to help those living with spinal cord injuries connect to our natural waters I never imagined the reach and collateral positive impact we would have well beyond the athletes we were originally charged with supporting. The last two years have been extremely challenging for us and more importantly for our athletes who are very impacted by in-person service shutdowns and isolation. We have shared this program around the world, and we could not be more excited and honored to be entering 2022 with the support of the Reeve Foundation to strengthen our home community in South Jersey.” – Bruckner Chase, Founder / CEO Ocean Positive Foundation

About the Reeve Foundation:

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis. By uniting the brightest minds in the field, we are working tirelessly to accelerate scientific discovery across the field of spinal cord research by investing in labs across the globe. Additionally, through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, the Reeve Foundation’s National Paralysis Resource Center (NPRC) promotes the health, well-being, and independence of people living with paralysis, providing comprehensive information, resources, and referral services assisting over 100,000 individuals and families since its launch in 2002. The Reeve Foundation is committed to elevating our community’s voices and needs to achieve greater representation and independence. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-225-0292.