www.DSFFlorida.org

Every October, we pause to shine a brighter light on the remarkable worth of individuals with Down syndrome.

Awareness is more than recognition; it is a call to see possibility everywhere. Our members show us that achievement isn’t measured only in milestones, but also in the courage to dream and the determination to reveal what’s possible.

This month, let’s celebrate the gifts, aspirations, and accomplishments of our community and renew our commitment to opening doors so every talent can shine. Together, let’s honor the EXTRAordinary significance of people with Down syndrome.

Plus, if you’re participating in our Bowl-A-Thon! Your personalized feature can also help with fundraising! We can add your team’s QR code to the design, making it easy for friends and family to scan, share, and donate directly to your team.

If you’re new to The FOUNDATION’s Tour of Champions Bowl-A-Thon, you may be wondering how our fundraising incentives work and why we offer them.

It’s simple: incentives add extra fun and motivation to fundraising while helping teams reach their goals. And here’s where it all comes full circle: more fundraising means more support for The FOUNDATION’s programs, resources, and opportunities for your loved one.

So when you participate in an incentive, you’re not only working toward a fun reward, you’re helping your team raise more, helping The FOUNDATION do more, and ultimately creating more opportunities for the people we serve.

Saturday, October 3

Championing SUCCESS in Education

This Saturday, The FOUNDATION and the Toni Jennings Institute for Exceptional Education at UCF are bringing together educators for a full day of learning designed specifically for teachers and professionals who support students with Down syndrome.

The conference will feature UCF professionals and experts in exceptional education, sharing research, best practices, practical teaching strategies, and real classroom resources educators can use right away.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your child’s teacher, ESE teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, or other school staff who supports your child.

This is a chance for educators to learn from UCF professionals, gain new tools for the classroom, and discover strategies they can use to better support their students throughout the school year.

Saturday, October 24

Down Syndrome Clinic for Adults!

In partnership with Orlando Health, we invite you to attend our Annual Down Syndrome Clinic for Adults.

This special event is designed for individuals age 17 and older with Down syndrome. Attendees will receive complimentary medical screenings, consultations with healthcare professionals, and access to valuable community resources - an important and supportive gathering created just for adults with Down syndrome.

Available specialists include:



Behavior Therapy

Cardiology

Dentist

Dermatology

Dietician

Endocrinology

ENT

Genetics

Gynecology

Neuropsychology

Occupational Therapy

Ophthalmology

Oral Motor Therapy

Orthopedics

Physical Therapy

Pulmonology

Speech Therapy

Trisomy 21 Research Foundation (Nutrivene)

And much more!

Thursday, October 15

Moms' Dinner Club!

Stop waiting until midnight on December 31st to start living your best life! “New Year, New You NOW” is a 6-week support group designed to help moms beat holiday burnout and skip the dreaded January resolution trap altogether.

Waiting until January can mean spending the busiest season of the year in survival mode. By the time the holidays end, you’re already running on empty. This group flips the script. We’re giving mothers the tools, community, and momentum to step out of survival mode, dismantle self-limiting beliefs, and build game-changing habits before the holiday rush even starts.

A new season of Girl Talk & Guy Talk classes begins this November!

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect, build confidence, strengthen friendships,

and gain tools to navigate the transition into adulthood.

Registration is open now, save your spot today!

November 6, 7, & 8

Camping Jamboree

Pack your bags and join us at Jetty Park, November 6, 7 & 8 for one of our most anticipated events of the year--our Annual Camping Jamboree! Families from across the state will come together for a weekend of camping, connection, and FUN.

Weekend Highlights:

• Fishing
• Surfing
• Beachside games with friends
• A fabulous cookout
• Campfire & s’mores under the stars
• And more…

This event is exclusive to immediate family members, and all FOUNDATION campsites will be grouped together, making it the perfect chance to relax and bond with your FOUNDATION family.

Important Deadlines:

• T-shirt deadline: October 22, 2026 (included with all packages)
• Final registration deadline: October 30, 2026



The Magic is Back!

The Orlando Magic season is right around the corner, and we’re excited to offer members ages 18+ an opportunity to gain valuable work experience at Magic games! Members will assist with delivering food and snacks to guests in the Club and Loge Level sections while building workplace skills in a fun, fast-paced environment.

Members who are not enrolled in our iCan! Work program must attend their first five games with an adult of their choice. These first five games are an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and learn the role. After completing five games, members become eligible to receive payment for future Magic shifts!

This is a great opportunity for members to build confidence, gain real-world work experience, and take a step toward greater employment independence.

Holiday Assistance!

Through our Holiday Assistance Program,

The FOUNDATION is here to help member families enjoy delicious holiday meals and thoughtful gifts.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to support our members and help bring a little extra joy to the holidays. All members are welcome to apply, with priority given to active members of The FOUNDATION.



For more information about our online programming:

follow our private Facebook page, Meetup, or email

Robin.Longley@dsfflorida.org

Thank you to our sponsors for making all of these programs possible!

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