The Without Limits Foundation: How Angie Del Gaudio
Is Redefining Inclusion Through Movement

When Angie Del Gaudio created Rams Without Limits—now The Without Limits Foundation—during her junior year at Millikan High School, she had no idea what it would become. What began as a Girl Scout Gold Award project—Girl Scouting’s highest honor akin to the Eagle Scout rank—has grown into a blossoming nonprofit empowering neurodiverse and neurotypical students across Southern California through movement, friendship, and creative expression.

As Disability Pride Month comes to a close, we celebrate changemakers like Angie—people working to uplift overlooked voices and build a more inclusive world.

Humble Beginnings

After two years of isolation and hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, Millikan High School’s Best Buddies chapter had dissolved. Though other clubs emerged, Angie sensed something was missing.

“There were events, yes, but they felt surface-level,” Angie said. “Neurodiverse and neurotypical students weren’t forming real friendships, and they weren’t creating together. So, I created Rams Without Limits, an after-school dance program where students could connect through movement.”

As a dancer with ADHD and dysgraphia,—a learning disability that affects handwriting, spelling, and thought organization—Angie had long found solace in dance, a wordless sanctuary where she felt capable and free. She wanted to share that outlet with others.

Her goal was to create a space where students of all abilities could come together as teammates and friends. But the impact expanded beyond the dance floor. 

The club gives neurodiverse students a chance to build relationships and social skills, while neurotypical volunteers, also navigating adolescence, gain empathy, confidence, and communication skills. All are motivated not by obligation, but by a sincere desire to connect.

Meeting weekly for one hour, the sessions are designed to be accessible to all, ensuring every student can participate fully. Whether leading warm-ups or learning new dance steps, each moment fosters connection and shared accomplishment.

From the beginning, Angie wanted students to feel proud of who they are and see that ability takes many forms. That vision continues to expand. 

Progression Of The Program

What began as an after-school club is now a dynamic, year-round movement. The Without Limits Foundation has grown into a city-wide effort with events and partnerships extending far beyond campus.

“What we didn’t expect was how far this vision would reach,” Angie recalled. “What began as a campus club quickly sparked interest throughout Long Beach. The community saw something different in our model, not just adaptive programming, but true peer-to-peer connection. For every participant, we’ve had two volunteers ready to step in with open hearts and outstretched hands, ready to be not just helpers, but friends.”

Through inclusive sports, performances, and confidence-building activities, students and volunteers grow together—exploring new interests, building trust, and celebrating each other’s strengths.

Performers have taken the stage at the SoCal Special Olympics, University of Southern California, Long Beach Adaptive Sports Fair, and LBUSD district-wide events—each time reshaping perceptions of neurodiversity.

Beyond weekly meetings, the foundation hosts weekend events, seasonal camps, and an ever-expanding lineup of adaptive sports. One popular addition has been Base Buddies, an adaptive baseball initiative created with local high school teams, where neurodiverse athletes play alongside neurotypical peers.

Recognizing the excitement around sports, Angie saw an opportunity to introduce something new: tennis.

Throwing Tennis Into The Mix

In 2024, while attending the Long Beach Adaptive Sports Fair, Angie and her team met Sammie Xiao, a Community Tennis Coordinator with USTA Southern California. 

“The moment our participants stepped onto the tennis courts, something magical happened; they fell in love with the sport. It was exciting to see them step outside their dance comfort zone and embrace a completely new way to move, play, and connect,” Angie added.

Shortly after, a partnership with USTA SoCal formed. Tennis clinics were soon held at Millikan High School, where over 60 neurodiverse and neurotypical students filled the courts with laughter and encouragement. Tennis quickly became more than just a physical challenge—it became a tool for self-discovery, teamwork, and joy.

What stood out most to Angie was USTA SoCal’s inclusive approach. 

“USTA SoCal met each participant exactly where they were in their journey, whether they were going all out, attempting to hit every ball, or simply enjoying passing it back and forth with their buddy,” she remarked. “Everyone was celebrated for showing up and trying, and that spirit made the experience unforgettable. Sammie’s activities created a supportive, playful environment where students could grow at their own pace, side by side with their buddies. It was especially impactful to see the connections deepen through shared effort, volunteers and participants playing together, cheering each other on, and finding joy in every hit, miss, and laugh.” 

Tennis aligned perfectly with the foundation’s mission. While dance emphasizes expression and coordination, tennis builds spatial awareness, quick decision-making, and resilience. 

For many of the foundation’s dancers, tennis revealed a new side of their strength. For volunteers—many from dance backgrounds—the court became a level playing field, deepening relationships through shared vulnerability.

“At its core, our program is about inclusive movement, about creating space for every kind of body and brain to explore what they’re capable of,” shared Angie. “Tennis gave us another joyful, dynamic way to do that. It was a movement with meaning and inclusion in motion.”

The USTA SoCal partnership also brought greater visibility.

“When an organization as respected as USTA SoCal supports a growing program like ours, it sends a powerful message; they see the value in what we’re doing and want to be part of it,” Angie commented. “It’s more than just collaboration; it’s validation. It shows our participants, their families, and our team that this work matters and that others believe in it too.”

“We’re so excited to continue this partnership and bring other opportunities for our community to move and connect. It’s all about expanding experiences, and thanks to USTA SoCal, we can do just that,” she added.

Witnessing The Program’s Impact

For Angie, the greatest reward isn’t recognition, it’s transformation. 

“The impact I’ve witnessed has been nothing short of life-changing,” Angie stated. “I’ve seen students who once hesitated to speak, dance, or even make eye contact now burst through the doors radiating joy, confidence, and energy, greeting their friends by name, ready to take on whatever we have planned. What once felt scary for them, making new friends, performing in public, and expressing themselves, has become second nature.” 

Students once on the sidelines now shine—in independence, friendships, and joy.

And the growth goes both ways. 

“Honestly, it’s transformed me, too,” Angie said. “I’ve learned what it truly means to lead with empathy, to listen deeply, and to show up with consistency and heart. This community has become like a second family to me. It’s shown me that inclusion isn’t an abstract ideal; it’s built through everyday moments of connection, mutual respect, and shared joy. I know I’m forever changed because of this program and genuinely cannot imagine my life without this community. It’s my reminder every day of what’s possible when we believe in one another.”

Perhaps the clearest picture of what The Without Limits Foundation stands for comes after a performance. 

“There’s one moment that gets me every single time, it’s right after we finish. The music fades, the lights are still warm, and the crowd is cheering like crazy,” added Angie. “But, instead of soaking in the applause or basking in the spotlight, every single dancer turns immediately to their buddy. This is the moment consisting of huge high-fives, tight hugs, laughter, and squeals of excitement. Our participants just danced their hearts out, but what they are most thrilled about isn’t the cheering crowd, it’s the fact that they got to perform together with their neurodiverse and typical friends.”

Testimonials

Teachers and parents report remarkable growth in independence and initiative. Many students now manage tasks more autonomously, approach challenges with a renewed sense of self-assurance, and engage more in class.

Student Diego Rodriguez shared: “Playing tennis with my buddy made me feel good because it gave me the chance to learn a new sport. My favorite part of the clinic was hitting the ball back and forth with my buddy. A moment that made me feel proud was at the end because I tried something new.” 

Another participant, Lovely Lopez, added: “People should join Without Limits because everyone will love you no matter who you are. No one will discriminate or judge you because we are all one big family.” 

Angie And The Without Limits Foundation Today

Now entering her sophomore year at USC, Angie is majoring in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) & Social Change with a progressive master’s in Social Entrepreneurship.

“Without Limits has shaped everything about my academic journey; it’s the reason I’m studying what I am, and it continues to guide where I want to go,” Angie said. “The program encourages a multidisciplinary approach, so I’m taking courses in business, sociology, political science, and communication, each one helping me build the tools to create a real, lasting impact. I want to apply what I learn directly to the nonprofit sector, ensuring that individuals in the diverse disabled community have consistent access to the resources they need, when they need them.”

On campus, Angie continues to advocate for equity and inclusion, serving as the Social Justice and Inclusion Chair for Parkside Residential College and Legislative Chair for Accessibility in USC’s Undergraduate Student Government. She also supports Best Buddies at USC as an Advocacy Liaison.

“This fall, we’re expanding to two new locations, including launching classes at OnStage Dance Center in the Los Alamitos area,” exclaimed Angie. “We’re also partnering with local transitional college-age readiness settings to introduce tailored programming for neurodiverse adults. This new direction includes leadership-building components that help neurodiverse adults grow socially, emotionally, and personally.”

Her long-term goal? To grow The Without Limits Foundation into a national organization—equipping others to build inclusive programs in their own communities.

For Angie, it’s not just about expanding a single nonprofit. It’s about shifting culture. She hopes the foundation can be a catalyst in breaking down stigmas surrounding neurodiversity, demonstrating that individuals with disabilities are not only capable, but powerful. 

Her advice for young changemakers: “Start small. Don’t wait for the perfect plan or the perfect moment, because the truth is, you grow into your vision as you go. I started this as a simple after-school club, with no idea it would become my life’s purpose. I just saw a need, and instead of assuming someone else would fix it, I stepped in.” 

“You don’t need to have a five-year plan or all the answers. You just need the courage to begin. It’s important to lead with your heart and to not underestimate the power of your voice, your story, or your spark. The moment you take that first step, no matter how small, is the moment you begin building something bigger than yourself.”