USRowing Awarded VA Grant to Support Veterans for Eighth Consecutive Year

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs announced that USRowing has been awarded an Adaptive Sports Grant to support our community-based Freedom Rows programs throughout the United States for the eighth consecutive year. This year's grant of $500,000 matches the largest ever awarded to USRowing.

USRowing's national program dedicated to changing lives for veterans with disabilities and members of the armed forces, Freedom Rows has been awarded grants exceeding $2.8 million since its inception in 2014.

Freedom Rows has grown from six programs in its first year to more than 30 programs serving an average of 1,000 veterans each year. This year's grant will allow USRowing to further expand the Freedom Rows program beyond the existing programs.

"We'd like to thank the VA for its continued support of our Freedom Rows program," said Deb Arenberg, USRowing's Adaptive Programs Associate and Freedom Rows Coordinator. "The VA's continued support of Freedom Rows is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our USRowing volunteers and coaches put into the program. As we enter our eighth year, Freedom Rows has a proven track record of providing veterans with the opportunity to improve their physical and mental well-being, and we will continue to provide the best programming possible to meet the goals of every veteran with whom we work."

The Adaptive Sports Grant Program provides grant funding to organizations to increase and expand the quantity and quality of adaptive sports activities for veterans with disabilities and members of the armed forces. Funding allows athletes to participate in physical activity within their home communities, as well as more advanced Paralympic and adaptive sports programs at the regional and national levels.

"USRowing is committed to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive rowing community through programs like Freedom Rows," said USRowing Chief Executive Officer Amanda Kraus. "We are proud to introduce rowing to veterans with disabilities and members of the armed services. It is wonderful to see the positive impact our sport can have on their lives, and the amazing impact our veterans can have on our boathouses across the country. USRowing would like to thank the VA for their continued support of the Freedom Rows program."

Grant funds will be used to continue existing Freedom Rows programming, build additional programs, send qualified athletes to competition, purchase needed adaptive rowing equipment and supplement coaching fees.

Participants in Freedom Rows programs have reached the elite level, with more athletes expected to compete in events including The Head of The Charles Regatta, San Diego Crew Classic, USRowing Indoor National Championship and more. One Freedom Rows athlete -- Russell Gernaat from Bair Island Aquatic Center in California -- competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games earlier this year.

About Freedom Rows

USRowing launched Freedom Rows in 2014 through the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program. USRowing has partnered with VA rehabilitation hospitals and USRowing member organizations across the country with the goal of reintegrating disabled veterans and members of the armed services. Organizations that are interested in starting a Freedom Rows program can contact Deb Arenberg at deb.arenberg@usrowing.org.