Josh K

Ashoka Young Changemaker
Josh Kaplan Ashoka Young Changemaker
United States
Elected in 2018

About Josh K

After meeting a friend’s brother who loved to play soccer but was excluded from the team because he has Down Syndrome, Josh became determined to find a way through changemaking.

After meeting a friend’s brother who loved to play soccer but was excluded from the team because he has Down Syndrome, Josh became determined to create a culture of inclusion in local sports. Josh founded GOALS, a unified community-based program and an affiliate partner of Special Olympics. GOALS offers a modified, non-competitive soccer experience for students with and without physical and intellectual disabilities. The program fosters a safe and inclusive space to promote positive social interactions and form friendships that transcend intellectual barriers. Josh’s work with GOALS mirrors the importance of teamwork in a rapidly changing world; everyone should be able an participate on a team as an active player, rather than a passive bystander.