DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF JACKSONVILLE INC
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Mission Statement
The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (DSAJ) is a non-profit organization committed to helping people with Down syndrome achieve their full potential and to helping create a community that is educated, supportive, and inclusive of individuals with Down syndrome.
About This Cause
We envision a community where all people with Down syndrome are actively included, given opportunities to participate and contribute as valued citizens, and have the choice to create their own path to fulfillment and success. The association seeks to develop and disseminate accurate information for all publics, and to encourage and support programs, which lead to the development of practical skills, speech/language facility and a sense of self-worth. We are registered as a 501(c)(3), incorporated in 1989 and supported entirely by fund raising events, corporate donations and membership solicitations. The organization’s long-term goals and vehicles for attaining them are as follows: A. Individual Education – To provide individuals with Down syndrome with access to learning experiences leading to independence that are offered by the public school system or that have been denied due to past bias or information based on institutionalized individuals. 1. Individualized Computer Instruction for children ages 16 months to 21 years, through Hope Haven Children’s Clinic. 2. Speech Therapy/Educational Assistance Program to help families meet the expenses of communication therapies to enhance their child’s potential. 3. Social Skills/Individualized Behavioral Services for pediatrics through adults to empower them with the knowledge to integrate and function in day-to-day life and become more productive members of the community. B. Family Education – DSAJ provides tools and resources to parents that will assist them with individualized needs of their child. 1. The DSAJ provides new parent packets which provide pertinent medical and educational information. 2. The DSAJ hosts monthly, age-appropriate meetings that connect parents with other parents, services and agencies. 3. The DSAJ hosts annual seminars about topics of interest. These are led by subject matter experts from across the country. 4. The DSAJ Resource Library housed at the DSAJ office furnishes updated literature and media. C. Professional Education – DSAJ offers current data from research and other documentation that will assist them in their support of families in their practice who have a child with Down syndrome. 1. We provide training on diagnosis delivery and reference materials to pediatricians, obstetricians, specialists and medical students to enable the professional to better support families. D. Community Education – Through a variety of programs, activities, publications and presentations, assist the community at large to transcend, the negative stereotypes associated with Down syndrome and recognize that those with the syndrome are gifted with the same potential as everyone – to grow to have meaningful, purposeful, productive lives. 1. Donations of appropriate materials to public and private schools and libraries. 2. Workshops on current issues for families, professionals and community members. 3. Community Awareness Events that include our population of individuals with Down syndrome with the community members in order to foster a positive perception of these individuals as well as our organization. F. Fitness/Wellness - The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville offers a fitness/wellness program which includes weight management and fitness instruction tailored to fit the lifestyle of the individual participant. Included in this program are our sports events which enable the team mates to participate in team activities. These activities promote sportsmanship teamwork and builds self-esteem. 1. DSAJ partners with Weight Watchers® to provide weight management instruction 2. Fitness instruction is provided by various licensed instructors for a variety of styles to find best individualized fits for participants 3. Soccer – a fall program that is dedicated to soccer drills, fundamentals of the game and team building activities 4. Basketball – a winter/spring program that promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, fun and exercise 5. Cheerleading – year round program that provides cheer instruction, facilitates team work and provides inclusive opportunities within the community