Vancouver, Washington—July 17, 2023—Billy Henry, President, Founder and CEO for Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA), has been named as one of the Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 for his outstanding leadership and community involvement.
At 15 years old, Billy Henry wanted to participate in competitive powerlifting and discovered there were no programs available for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. He borrowed $50 and formed a powerlifting team with six of his friends, who then went on to compete in two world competitions. Today, NWABA is a $3M organization providing more than 3,000 program & service interactions (through 20 different types of sports & physical activity) to children, youth and adults who are blind and visually impaired throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
As a true leader, Billy Henry has been instrumental in ensuring that NWABA is part of the community by providing services to all individuals who are blind and visually impaired regardless of age, economic status, skills or athletic abilities. He’s engrained himself as an exemplary pillar of the community building connections and providing support to the Portland area and all communities which NWABA serves.
Henry has been recognized with the 2017 Nonprofit Network of Southwest Washington Excellence Award; as a 2013 Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Community Champion; as a 2011 Northwest Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) Partner in Education; and a member of 2011 Vancouver Business Journal Accomplished & Under 40 classe. Henry also serves as a board member for the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Vice-President for Ginn Gives.
Henry has changed the lives of so many children, youth and adults who are blind and visually impaired by introducing them to sports and physical activity, which helps them build confidence, develop self-esteem, find community and achieve success in life. He is not only changing the lives of the athletes but also that of his surrounding community, showing that blindness does not need to be a barrier to lead a successful and happy life.
About NWABA: The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. A group of students who were visually impaired formed the association in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.
For information: http://www.nwaba.org or Contact: [email protected] Phone: 1-360-768-5647
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