DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION OF FLORIDA INC
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Mission Statement
The mission of The FOUNDATION is to empower lives for a brighter future by supporting families, youth, and adults in ways that enhance their lives and the communities where they reside. The FOUNDATION fosters vocational and educational wellness through programs that facilitate inclusion, academic excellence, career readiness, and workforce proficiency—incorporating overall health components by enhancing the artistic and athletic abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and their families while engaging their peers through our Volunteer Powered organizational design. We believe when POTENTIAL is given OPPORTUNITY, the outcome is SUCCESS. The FOUNDATION envisions a day where people with Down syndrome are fully included in their communities: working, playing, studying, and living together without differentiation, bias, or exclusion. Our programs and services aim to prepare our members for success at each developmental stage while teaching communities to embrace inclusion as a way of life, not an act of charity. We offer a portfolio of innovative programs enhanced by wrap-around services to deliver 'The Down Syndrome Experience' to individuals and organizations unfamiliar with every human's potential. The fundamental goal is to eradicate outdated beliefs by showing what is possible in education, vocation, and daily life. Ultimately, people with Down syndrome must be contributing members of society with long-term employment, community acceptance, and policies that allow for their maximum success.
About This Cause
Our services provide a strong FOUNDATION upon which members and community partners/leaders can build businesses and organizations that embrace diversity, inclusion, and prosperity for everyone. We offer scholarships, programs, social gatherings, workshops, information sessions, outreach, and advocacy, ranging from building educational success and work readiness to providing experiences that grow our members' social capabilities and confidence. Fifty percent of our mission serves individuals with Down syndrome and their families; the other fifty percent prepares the community for inclusion because it does not happen without systems and understanding. We produce more than 20 events/programs a month to achieve our desired outcome. We engage educators, professionals, community leaders, and volunteers in all programming to ensure they gain experience working in an inclusive setting with success. Improving the quality of life of individuals with Down syndrome while teaching inclusion practices in natural environments fosters change in accessibility and opportunity for everyone. We begin with outreach programs to medical professionals and educators by teaching the value of delivering a message of hope and ability instead of limitation and despair. Partners in Education serves eight public school districts and the Diocese of Orlando by providing a DS Specialist program. Our Community Leadership Council actively engages over a dozen business leaders in identifying inclusion opportunities. We provide wrap-around support and community engagement/training through an extensive scholarship program to facilitate the most success possible with more than 50 community partners annually. Scholarship Programs include: Community Engagement Educational Tutoring Speech Therapy Behavior Therapy Swim IEP (Individualized Educational Program - Public School Legal Documents) Oral Motor Placement Scholarships Neurodevelopmental Scholarships iCan! Bike Camp Sleepaway Camp