Cyndi Blair founded No More Sidelines in 2006, a program to provide children and young adults with various special needs the opportunity to participate on athletic teams and have opportunities afforded to mainstream children. Blair, the mother of five children and the Nursing and Medical Supervisor for Muskegon County Community Mental Health, began the organization with seven children, including her own daughter Alivia, who has cerebral palsy and autism.

While several organizations exist nationally that advocate for special needs children, these organizations either narrowly define their participants, or focus on medical research, social service, and advocacy for special needs populations. Blair’s vision was for an organization dedicated to integrating children with special needs into the community. The focus was on sports, and fun for all involved.

Today, No More Sidelines involves more than 300 local special needs children and their families in a variety of activities, including 13 area high schools and four colleges which participate in integrated clinics and games. For the majority population of children, the opportunity to engage with children with special needs increases their understanding and tolerance for the many differences in people.

Headquartered in a former government office and warehouse, the organization has renovated the space to provide for a plethora of activities and jobs for those with special needs. The model has expanded beyond the city limits and now includes programs in Grand Rapids, Holland, and Lansing. Calls are now fielded from advocates looking to start No More Sidelines programs in other parts of the country.