About Us

Matthew Certner created SNAP when he was only 15 years old.  Family friends, Alexandra and Paul Abend, inspired him to create a program to enrich the lives of children with special needs.

Matthew’s mission to create a culture of acceptance was carried out through the creation of sports clinics for children with special needs.  These sports programs taught fundamental skills of basketball, baseball, and soccer to these kids, while also fostering communication and teamwork.  His mission of awareness and acceptance for all children has developed through his “kids helping kids” motto.  He has established sports programs in five different towns throughout New Jersey, and hopes to expand to many more.

After graduating from high school last year, Matt is now attending Duke University.  Zachary Certner, Matt’s 13-year-old brother, now operates SNAP. Zachary has large goals for SNAP, and hopes to expand the program’s focus of educating the community.  He hopes to increase this education to a national level in order to inspire youth in America about the difference they can make in the lives of others. To do this Zach hopes to expand the programming offered by SNAP from the original sports clinics.

SNAP participants can:

-Use their power to enrich the lives of the others

-Help spread awareness and acceptance of others

-Organize and participate in fundraising efforts to provide additional services