About Us

Mission, Promise, Values | Our Namesake | Meet The Team | Join the Board

Our Mission

Jacob's Chance enriches lives by empowering individuals 5-40 years old with developmental, intellectual, and/or physical disabilities through inclusive programs that promote personal development and positive relationships.

Our Promise

We are committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all aspects of our organization. We promise to create equity as we embrace cultural differences and promote cultural understanding.

Our Values

Inclusion

We are dedicated to educating our community about true inclusion by offering programming where youth, teens, and young adults with and without disabilities play, learn, and grow together.

Adaptability

We adapt the sport, program, or class to the ability of the participant to allow us to service individuals at any skill level.

Acceptance

Diversity

We promote diversity by seeking out underserved communities, developing trust and allowing everyone to participate regardless of their ability to pay our minimal registration fees.

Through celebrating our participants' achievements and uniqueness, we promote self confidence and acceptance.

Healthy Lifestyles

Collaboration

We believe that our constituents are best served when nonprofit organizations and businesses work together.

We help to battle common challenges for those with disabilities such as obesity, atrophy, isolation, and depression with education, fitness, movement, outdoor activities, skills for independence, and athletics.

Who is Jacob?

Jacob was a bright and fun-loving

young man who lived life to the

fullest and loved playing sports.

Jacob passed away in 2002 due to

complications of his disabilities when he was only 11 years old, but Kate got to know Jacob's mom as Kate's sons played sports with Jacob's brother. All of the programs offered today are dedicated to Jacob and his infectious smile, which we see reflected in every individual we've served since becoming a nonprofit in 2013, and the years of Buddy Ball before that. These programs are Jacob's "chance" to live through the wonderful youth, teens, and adults we serve today.

Learn More

Meet the Team

Staff

Kate Mardigian

Founder | Executive Director

Born in Charleston, WV and raised in Richmond, VA. Mom of two grown sons and Gigi to one amazing granddaughter. Enjoys hiking, live music, and ice cream cones.

thumbnail_Screenshot 2023-03-02 at 4.50.40 PM.png

Brooke Cable Hsieh

Program Director

Born and raised in Richmond, VA. University of Georgia grad and a board certified music therapist. Dog mom to one pittie pup. Enjoys climbing, trying new things, and all-you-can-eat buffets.

Maura Sinnenberg

Development Director

Maura Sinnenberg is a community-builder and outdoor enthusiast who grew up in Richmond, VA and spent much of her professional life working in New York and abroad before returning home. When she is not at Jacob’s Chance, you may catch Maura cooking, gardening, or hiking with her husband, daughter, and rescue pup.

Tamra Collins

Program Manager

Tamra is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and the empowerment of individuals with disabilities. In her spare time she enjoys discovering new vegan restaurants, yoga, farmer's markets, and spending time with her husband, 2 kids, and goldendoodle named Snoop.