Sarah Carwile
Sarah Carwile, a member of the Gabriel Homes Board of Directors, also volunteers for the Special Olympics. She has previously helped coach for sports like swim, soccer, and basketball.
My involvement with Special Olympics was the beginning of a deeply meaningful journey in service and advocacy.
Volunteering for the Special Olympics introduced me to a community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) whose resilience, joy, and accomplishments left a lasting impression. The athletes taught me the value of inclusion, the power of dignity, and the importance of meeting people where they are. These experiences laid the groundwork for my service with Gabriel Homes Board of Directors today.
At Special Olympics, I learned how to support others in ways that encouraged both independence and belonging. I gained experience in coordinating events, communicating across a wide spectrum of abilities, and advocating for inclusive programming. My refined skills, thanks in part to my professional background in nonprofit auditing, applied directly to my work with Gabriel Homes.
Applying experience into action
When I joined the board at Gabriel Homes, I brought a heart committed to empowerment alongside my experience. I understood the importance of celebrating abilities over limitations and creating opportunities for long-term organizational growth. At Gabriel Homes, this has meant contributing to strategic planning, refining governance, and helping to sustain a person-centered care model.
Serving on the board has shaped my professional and personal development. Professionally, my service has strengthened my leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative decision-making skills. I’ve become more thoughtful in how I approach problem-solving, especially when the outcomes affect vulnerable populations. Personally, the work grounds me. I remind myself that meaningful progress is often built slowly through relationships, persistence, and deep listening.
Special Olympics and Gabriel Homes have shaped my vision of community, purpose, and service. The throughline between them is the belief that everyone deserves the chance to grow, thrive, and be celebrated. Following my roots, I am proud to serve on a board of directors that helps adults with IDD achieve their dreams.