This article was adapted from a piece written by Larsen Enge, Student at PRS

In 2014, the Enge family at Pacific Ridge School (PRS) in Carlsbad, California, helped launch Opportunities for Athletes (OFA), a student-led service learning group designed to make a tangible impact in the lives of athletes with physical disabilities. Born from a personal connection to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), OFA has grown into a powerful example of how young people can combine passion, education, and community service to change lives.

As PRS student Larsen Enge, one of the founding members, explained in her original reflection:

“Our group’s mission was to create a service group that would make a difference in our community, and was meaningful to us. From our exposure to CAF at a young age, we decided to create a group that would help support CAF and contribute to their grant program.”

Turning Service Learning into Action

OFA began as a simple idea within PRS’s broader service learning program: give students the chance to design projects that mattered to them. For the Enge family, that meant focusing on athletes with physical disabilities.

Through fundraisers and awareness campaigns, OFA members have provided athletes with essential equipment such as:

• A rugby wheelchair
• A prosthetic running leg
• An adaptive surfboard
• Support for coaching and travel fees

These grants not only give athletes the chance to pursue their sport but also foster independence, confidence, and belonging.

Reflecting on the group’s impact, Larsen shared:

“Hearing their stories, watching them play their sport in different events, and experiencing the pure joy on their faces when receiving a grant is incredible. Through our donations and the awareness we brought about in our community, we feel like we had the opportunity to make a difference for a few athletes.”

Building Connections with CAF

One of the most rewarding aspects of the partnership has been the direct connection between students and CAF athletes. Over the years, OFA has welcomed speakers like Travis Ricks, who shared his journey as both an athlete and mentor. These interactions made the impact of their fundraising personal, helping students connect values like empathy and inclusion with real-world stories of resilience.

Larsen recalled the value of these moments:

“We love working with CAF and seeing the impact each of these grants and the organization has on these athletes. It’s an experience that changes the way you see the world—and what you believe is possible.”

Connecting with the CAF School Program

The success of Opportunities for Athletes illustrates the goals of the broader CAF School Program, which brings CAF stories and values into classrooms across the country. The program introduces students to athletes with physical disabilities, encourages discussions around resilience and equity, and provides fundraising opportunities so that schools can be part of CAF’s mission.

Through the OFA model, Pacific Ridge students went beyond learning about inclusion in theory—they became active participants in creating it. By raising funds, engaging their peers, and inviting CAF athletes to share their experiences, PRS has shown what can happen when a school community fully embraces service learning tied to sport.

Inspiring Future Changemakers

The story of Pacific Ridge School and Opportunities for Athletes is a reminder that the power of sport extends far beyond the playing field. Students learn that service, leadership, and compassion are skills that last a lifetime.

Larsen summed it up best in her reflection:

“We love the Challenged Athletes Foundation and are so grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside them.”

Through OFA’s work, CAF athletes gain the equipment and support they need to thrive—and students gain a deeper understanding of the role they can play in building an inclusive world.

Want to Learn How Your School Can Get Involved?

Your school can join the movement too. From fundraising and awareness campaigns to classroom learning and service projects, the CAF School Program offers a powerful way for students to learn about inclusion while making a tangible difference in the lives of athletes with physical disabilities.