Kegiatan Young Athletes terbukti memberikan dampak yang sangat signifikan bagi anak-anak penyandang disabilitas, khususnya disabilitas intelektual, serta para coach dan orang tua di Kota Semarang. Lebih dari sekadar sebuah kegiatan, YA menjadi pemantik lahirnya kegiatan yang lebih besar, berkelanjutan, dan berdampak luas.
Awalnya, kegiatan YA dilaksanakan di Kecamatan Pedurungan dan mendapatkan respons positif dari berbagai pihak. Dukungan nyata datang dari Kecamatan Pedurungan yang saat itu langsung ditindaklanjuti oleh Camat Pedurungan Moch. Agus Junaidi, S.Kom, MM, M.Ling., Melalui fasilitasi kecamatan, kegiatan YA berkembang menjadi ruang yang aman dan inklusif.
Berbagai aktivitas tumbuh dari inisiatif ini, mulai dari kegiatan coaching, pentas seni, hingga pelibatan aktif anak-anak disabilitas dalam kegiatan kecamatan. Salah satu dampak paling membanggakan adalah ketika Pemerintah Kota Semarang melalui Kecamatan Pedurungan memberdayakan atlet disabilitas intelektual sebagai petugas pelayanan dalam kegiatan kecamatan. Hal ini menjadi bukti nyata bahwa anak-anak disabilitas memiliki potensi dan kapasitas yang dapat dipercaya dan dihargai.
Camat Pedurungan melihat langsung potensi luar biasa dari anak-anak disabilitas intelektual dan menunjukkan empati yang mendalam. Kecamatan kemudian menyediakan tempat bagi anak-anak untuk berkarya dan beraktivitas, serta menyelenggarakan berbagai pelatihan bagi orang tua dan anak, seperti pelatihan public speaking dan pengembangan diri lainnya.
Dampak dari kegiatan YA sangat terasa bagi SOIna Semarang. Organisasi ini kini memiliki wadah untuk mereka latihan dan berekspresi. Setiap kali informasi kegiatan dibagikan melalui grup komunitas, dalam hitungan jam peserta langsung terpenuhi. Kepercayaan orang tua terhadap SOIna semakin meningkat karena mereka melihat langsung perubahan pada anak-anak: rasa bahagia, kebersamaan, meningkatnya kepercayaan diri, serta keterikatan sosial yang semakin kuat.
Semua pencapaian ini tidak terlepas pula dari tim solid SOIna Kota Semarang, termasuk upaya Ketua SOIna Jawa Tengah Ibu Kristijani Kirana yang secara aktif mengenalkan SOIna kepada pihak kecamatan. Sebelumnya, keberadaan dan peran SOIna belum banyak diketahui. Namun setelah terjalin komunikasi dan kolaborasi, pihak kecamatan merasa tersentuh dan terdorong untuk terlibat lebih jauh.
Ke depan, SOIna memiliki rencana besar untuk menggandeng berbagai pihak, termasuk CSR perusahaan, sponsor, dan dukungan personal, guna menyelenggarakan kegiatan yang menyenangkan di bidang olahraga, seni, dan budaya. Lebih jauh lagi, SOIna bercita-cita mengembangkan program kewirausahaan, dengan tujuan akhir bukan hanya kebugaran, tetapi juga kemandirian ekonomi bagi penyandang disabilitas.
Kegiatan YA telah membuktikan bahwa ketika ruang, kepercayaan, dan kolaborasi diberikan, anak-anak disabilitas mampu berkembang dan memberi dampak positif bagi lingkungan sekitarnya.
YA activities have proven to create a highly significant impact on children with disabilities as well as on coaches and parents in Semarang City. More than just a program, YA has become a catalyst for the emergence of larger, sustainable, and far-reaching initiatives.
Initially, YA activities were conducted in Pedurungan District and received positive responses from various stakeholders. Tangible support came from the Pedurungan District Office, which was promptly followed up by the Head of Pedurungan District, Moch. Agus Junaidi, S.Kom., MM., M.Ling. Through district facilitation, YA activities evolved into a safe and inclusive space.
Various initiatives grew from this program, ranging from coaching sessions and art performances to the active involvement of children with disabilities in district-level events. One of the most inspiring outcomes was when the Semarang City Government, through the Pedurungan District, empowered athletes with intellectual disabilities to serve as service officers in district activities. This became clear evidence that children with disabilities possess valuable potential and capabilities that deserve trust and recognition.
The Head of Pedurungan District personally witnessed the extraordinary potential of children with intellectual disabilities and demonstrated deep empathy. The district then provided space for the children to create and participate in activities, as well as organized various training programs for parents and children, such as public speaking and personal development training.
The impact of YA activities has been strongly felt by SOIna Semarang. The organization now has a platform for training and self-expression. Whenever activity information is shared through community groups, participant slots are filled within hours. Parents’ trust in SOIna has grown significantly as they directly observe positive changes in their children—greater happiness, togetherness, increased self-confidence, and stronger social bonds.
These achievements are also inseparable from the solid teamwork of SOIna Semarang, including the efforts of the Chairperson of SOIna Central Java, Mrs. Kristijani Kirana, who actively introduced SOIna to district authorities. Previously, SOIna’s existence and role were not widely known. However, through communication and collaboration, district officials became deeply moved and motivated to engage more actively.
Looking ahead, SOIna plans to collaborate with various partners, including corporate CSR programs, sponsors, and individual supporters, to organize enjoyable activities in sports, arts, and culture. Beyond that, SOIna aspires to develop entrepreneurship programs, with the ultimate goal not only of improving physical well-being, but also achieving economic independence for persons with disabilities.
YA activities have demonstrated that when space, trust, and collaboration are provided, children with disabilities are able to grow and contribute positively to their surrounding communities.