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Turin2025: Jenny Fortner, SOI Board Member and Volunteer

Author
Special Chronicles Network
Published
Mon 16 Jun 2025
Episode Link
https://specialchronicles.com/podcast772

On this episode of the Special Chronicles Podcast Series: “A Recap of Turin 2025,” Daniel Smrokowski sits down with Jenny Fortner, a dedicated Special Olympics International Board Member to talk about how she volunteered with her son Joey Fortner, a Yale University student and his friends from Athletes in Action. 

Jenny shares her personal journey and deep-rooted commitment to Special Olympics as she reflected on her and her son's roles at the 2025 World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. From Jenny's early days as a freshman volunteer at the University of Chicago to Joey's first experience as a student-athlete at the World Winter Games, we dive into their powerful experiences and lessons learned from over three decades of volunteering.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:


  • Jenny’s first experience volunteering for Special Olympics as a freshman at the University of Chicago and what inspired her to get involved.


  • How her journey with Special Olympics has evolved over the past 30 years, and what has kept her passionate about advocating for athletes.


  • Insights into how Special Olympics has grown and impacted the lives of athletes and their families.


  • As a current Board Member of Special Olympics, Jenny shares the initiatives and changes she's most proud of contributing to.


  • Advice for those just starting their volunteer journey with Special Olympics, especially if they’re unsure where to begin.


  • What has been the most rewarding part of working with Special Olympics athletes, particularly those she’s met at the World Games.


  • How volunteering with Special Olympics aligns with her personal values and has influenced her perspective on inclusion and community.


  • Jenny’s hopes for the legacy of her involvement with Special Olympics, both personally and for the organization as a whole.


  • How Joey first got involved with Special Olympics and what inspired him and his fellow Athletes in Action members from Yale to volunteer at the World Winter Games in Turin.


  • The impact of volunteering with Special Olympics on him personally and as a student-athlete, and the lessons he’s learned about sport, inclusion, and community.


  • Joey reflects on his first experience at the Special Olympics World Winter Games and how the event stands out from others.


  • A specific moment during volunteering that made a lasting impression on him and his team.


  • The role of student-athletes in Special Olympics and how they contribute to the experience for both themselves and the athletes they support.


  • Joey shares what it’s like to follow in his mom’s footsteps in the Special Olympics community and his advice for other young people considering volunteering.


  • What Joey is most excited about for the upcoming 2025 World Winter Games in Turin and how he envisions his role at the event.


  • What volunteering at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin means to them as a mother-son duo and how this shared experience is special for their family.


  • Their unique perspectives—Jenny as a Board Member and Joey as a student-athlete volunteer—and how they collaborate and support each other’s work within Special Olympics.


  • The most impactful lessons they’ve learned from working with Special Olympics athletes and how they carry those lessons into their everyday lives.


  • Their hopes for the future of Special Olympics as they prepare for the upcoming World Winter Games in Turin and beyond.

Key Takeaways:


  • The life-changing power of volunteering and the sense of community it creates within Special Olympics.


  • How Special Olympics provides athletes and volunteers alike with opportunities for growth, inclusion, and connection.


  • Insights into the unique bond that forms between volunteers and athletes, and the impact that connection has on both groups.


  • A powerful look at the long-term effects of giving back to the Special Olympics community and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for everyone to thrive.

Episode 772 ShowNotes & Links: SpecialChronicles.com/Podcast772

About the Podcast Host:

Daniel Smrokowski is a columnist and the founder and host of the award-winning podcast, Special Chronicles, which has released over 750 episodes in over 15 years. In recognition of these accomplishments, Daniel is a recipient of the Matthew Freeman Award for Social Justice for his efforts through media to give people with disabilities a voice. Read more about Daniel HERE

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