After receiving positive feedback in the inaugural year, two former competitive Sarnia gymnasts are looking forward to continuing a program aimed at keeping kids in sports safe.
Abby (Pearson) Spadafora and Melanie (Rocca) Hunt developed Keep Me Safe and offer it through their organization Athletes Empowered, which evolved from the previous organization they founded called Gymnasts for Change Canada, after they experienced abuse in the sport.
Spadafora, the director of engagement, said they aimed to present the program 12 times in 2026, and accomplished their goal.
"We ended up doing 13 group/organizations within about eight months," said Spadafora. "We presented to just over 300 people which also has a ripple effect to hopefully support and help protect about 43,000 children. So, it's pretty incredible."
While Spadafora said the first year of the program demonstrated a strong need for education and conversation around safety in sport, they'll be altering how it's delivered in 2027 as her co-founder prepares for an addition to her family.
"Melanie is expecting her second child this year, and so our goal for this year will be eight groups or organizations. We are already booked for four," she said.
Spadafora said they also plan on connecting with more people through community events.
"One of the events will actually be taking place at Lambton College, where we will have a booth set up. So, we're looking forward to that," she said.
To learn more about the program, or request a presentation, you can visit www.athletesempowered.ca
"We do sport organizations, we do healthcare providers, we also do groups of parents," Spadafora said. "The program is free. We do groups anywhere from as small as eight, and we've done as large as 150."
Athletes Empowered is run in partnership with the Sarnia-Lambton Children's Aid Society.
