Submitted Photo Prairie Grit and Minot YMCA staff and volunteers celebrate together after the signing of their partnership agreement on May 26. From front left are: Tia Huber(YMCA), Averi Bradley (PGAS), Paige Melby (PGAS), Kaari Pieper(PGAS), Krystal Butgereit (PGAS), Cassidy Hjelmstad (PGAS Board), Jack Nybakken (YMCA Board); second row, from left: Fred Beuchler (YMCA Board), John Stewart (YMCA Board), Angela Thompson (PGAS founder), Chad Thompson (PGAS founder), Roger Mazurek (YMCA), Blaine DesLauriers (YMCA Board), Sharon Johnson (YMCA Board); third row, from left: Travis Mowbray (YMCA Board), Preston Phillips (YMCA Board), Rob Bucchholz (YMCA Board), Chad Richeson (PGAS), Tim Keller (YMCA Board) and Nick Gray (YMCA).

The Minot Family YMCA and Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports (PGAS) signed a partnership agreement during the Minot Family YMCA Board of Directors meeting on May 26. This strategic partnership will increase awareness, access and participation of physical activities for youth and adults in the Minot community. As a result of the partnership, PGAS also became a partial owner of the YMCA property.

The idea of a unified and inclusive sports, recreation and therapy facility in the Minot area has been in the making since 2018, when the YMCA and PGAS first joined together to offer various inclusive programs for individuals with disabilities. As the organizations’ relationship grew it became evident that their missions were similar in that they both look to provide programs that target all individuals regardless of their abilities.

“We have alignment with our culture, vision, and missions, so the next 20 years will be very exciting for both organizations and for the Minot community as a whole,” said Chad and Angie Thompson, founders of Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports. “Having a child with a disability brings so much joy, but it also has moments that can be pretty tough. When Palmer was at an age when most of his peers were signing up for their first sporting activities, it was very hard to watch as a parent knowing that there weren’t options for him to experience the “normal” trajectory of a child. Now, with adaptive sports and activities happening year-round, and the ability to offer blended adaptive sports, the opportunities have grown leaps and bounds for anyone living with a disability in North Dakota.”

As the YMCA and PGAS partnership developed through the years, many more program opportunities, such as All Kids Swim and Wheelchair Sports, have become available to individuals with and without special needs. This success coupled with Prairie Grit’s desire to offer pediatric physical and occupational therapy services ultimately led to the partnership.

“We are just getting started,” said Krystal Butgereit, PGAS executive director, “Thanks to the unique, challenging and motivating environment at the Y and the amazing staff, our sports and therapy programs will continue to positively impact the lives of many. Our facility won’t just meet the accessibility standards, but we plan to surpass them.”

In early 2021, PGAS began offering therapy services through Prairie Grit Therapy at its clinic located inside the Minot Family YMCA.

“The ability to have both organizations under one roof has only strengthened our partnership and improved the quality of programs and services we are offering to all members of our community,” said Tia Huber, YMCA director of Program Services.

Looking forward to the future, the partners are already planning for exciting things.

“This partnership and facility are the start of something great for the Minot community,” said the Thompsons. “All of us at Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports and Therapy are thrilled to be in a partnership with the Minot Family YMCA.”

“There are a lot of great people doing amazing things in our community and the people behind Prairie Grit are a shining example of this,” Travis Mowbray, YMCA board president, said. “The Minot Family YMCA is proud to have them (PGAS) as an active partner continuing to promote and support the health and wellbeing of our community.”

The Minot Family YMCA is a non-profit organization with the mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. The Minot YMCA was founded in 1943 as a bible study group for men. In 1949, the YMCA opened in its first location in downtown and focused on health and wellness. The Y later built and moved into its current location in the fall of 2001 before expanding in 2008 to offer more recreational opportunities for all ages. Currently the YMCA offers opportunities for health, fitness and wellbeing through multiple avenues for youth, adults and seniors. For more information about the Y, visit their website at www.ymcaminot.org.

Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports is a non-profit organization founded by the Thompsons in 2016 and inspired by their son, Palmer, who was born with spina bifida. Prairie Grit offers multiple services with the mission of providing sports and recreational opportunities for children and adults living with physical and developmental disabilities to enhance their quality of life. In 2021, Prairie Grit Therapy opened in the Minot Family YMCA with the mission to make children’s therapeutic treatment fun through an environment rich with opportunities for movement, sensory input and learning experiences. For more information about the Prairie Grit, visit its websites at www.prairiegritsports.com or www.prairiegrittherapy.com.