Mission statement
The Challenged Athletes Foundation’s (CAF) mission is to provide opportunities and to people with physical disabilities, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances the quality of life.
Our 2025 goals
CAF is committed to serving the organization’s mission through thoughtful strategic planning, approaching everything with an athlete-centric approach while delivering on established mission, vision, and promise statements. CAF will seek opportunities to strengthen community and grow partnerships, all while being good stewards of our resources with innovation, efficiency and stability.
The areas we serve
Headquartered in San Diego, CAF empowers the lives of athletes globally. CAF also maintains regional focus in Southern California, Northern California, Idaho, and throughout the Northeast.
Fundraising events
CAF hosts signature fundraising events nationwide that raise critical funding for programs, strengthen community, raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of athletes with physical disabilities.
- Celebration of Heart, San Francisco
- A Celebration of Heroes, Heart, and Hope, New York
- CAF Cycling Challenge, Location TBD
- CAF Community Weekend featuring the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, San Diego
Calling all volunteers
Volunteers help CAF fulfill our mission with a variety of opportunities to clinics, signature events, and in-office istrative work. CAF is grateful to those who have chosen to give their time, and if you would like to be a part of CAF’s volunteer community, visit challengedathletes.org/volunteer.
Donation opportunities
While studies have shown the myriad benefits of sport and physical activity, many athletes remain on the sidelines. Two of the greatest barriers to participation for people with physical disabilities are financial and program accessibility, this includes the high cost of adaptive sports equipment not typically covered by insurance. CAF breaks those barriers through no-cost programming, including the Grant Program, Sports Clinics, and Operation Rebound. With from generous donors, CAF can continue to meet the growing need for . You can help empower lives through sport by visiting challengedathletes.org/donate.
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Established 1994
9591 Waples Street, San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: 858-866-0959
Website: challengedathletes.org
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: @CAForg
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cafoundation
Executives
Kristine Entwistle, Chief Executive Officer
Lorrie Hall, Chief Financial Officer
Patrick Lawrence, Chief Programs Officer
Lauren Friedman, Chief People Officer
Jeff Holbrook, Chief Development Officer
Board of Directors
Jeffrey Essakow, Board President, CAF Co-founder
Bob Babbitt, Board Vice President, CAF Co-founder
Rick Kozlowski, CAF Co-founder
Dean Roeper, Board Secretary
Danny Gabriel
Jeff Jacobs
David Jochim
Tabi King
Nicole Ludwig
Swan Paik
John Pizzi
Roger Quarles
David Samson
Alan Shanken
Scott Stackman
Virginia Tinley
Lotte Toftdahl
Advisory Committee
Clive Essakow
Sari Levy-Schorr
Justin Model
The news and editorial staffs of Southern California News Group and The San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in this post’s preparation.