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A great BIG thank you to those of you who donated on Giving Tuesday.

Together we raised $16,600!  

When you make a donation that supports The FOUNDATION, you become a champion of equality, an advocate for change, and a beacon of hope for those who have been underestimated for far too long. Your generosity will create ripples of positive change that will be felt far and wide, touching the lives of countless individuals and shaping a more inclusive and compassionate future for us all.

From all of us at The FOUNDATION to you — thank you for supporting us!

INCENTIVE ALERT!

Private Wine Class or Family Fun Day?

YOU choose!

Enter for a chance to win a wine-tasting class at Total Wine OR

tickets to Gatorland.

How to enter:

• Donors will receive one entry to the drawing for every $25 donated from Monday, 12/5-Friday, 12/15.

• Team Captains will receive one entry to the drawing for every $100 raised between Monday, 12/5-Friday, 12/15.

Click here for more information about the incentive options.

Need more help? Click on the links below for our tutorial videos!

• How to start a Tour of Champions Bowl-a-Thon team
• How to send custom team fundraising emails
• How to link your Facebook fundraising
• How to set-up text giving

Need help with your FUNdraising? Sign up for our live webinars!

Click on the image below to sign up!

OUR SPRING SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOW OPEN!

Don't delay, apply TODAY!

Did you know that The FOUNDATION has awarded almost $1.4 million since we began our scholarship program?! - YES!

For our scholarships, we ask YOU to find something that your son or daughter would like to do, sign up (with that organization), and then apply for our scholarship.

Scholarship applications will be accepted for Educational, Community, Swimming, Speech, Driving School, and Behavioral (ABA). The spring scholarship covers January 2024 - April 2024.

*Applications will close on Monday, December 11, 2024.*

Click here to apply.

Join us for an evening of friendship and FUN! Bring a dish to share and a gift to contribute to the WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE. 

If contributing a gift would limit your attendance, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered!  

Not sure what a "White Elephant Gift Exchange" is? Click here to learn more about this fun holiday game!

Click on the image below for more information and to register!

Young Explorers is an exciting program designed for children in 1st through 6th-grade. This December, we invite you to our meet-up event where we will be cooking up some fun!

The FOUNDATION will cover $15 of the admission cost, which is normally $25 per member. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity for your child to learn and have fun at the same time!

*** Scholarships are available***

Click on the image below for more information and to register!

The FOUNDATION has awarded more than $1.4 MILLION in scholarships to give our members the opportunities and resources they need to succeed in life. We need YOUR HELP to continue to offer these EXTRAordinary opportunities.

Interested in joining our committee?

Click on the link below to email Camille Gardiner.

The next meeting is coming up!

Don't miss your chance to join us via Zoom.

The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is a magical event that will take you on a journey through the zoo's stunning gardens, lit up with amazing, larger-than-life lanterns. You'll see animals come to life in a whole new way as you walk through the enchanted forest.

And what better way to enjoy this incredible experience than with friends old and new? Join our T21 Social Network, exclusively for adults aged 18 and over, and take in the sights and sounds of this spectacular festival with a great group of friends. Don't miss out on this unforgettable holiday event!

Click on the image below for more information and to register.

Our Club 321 (middle and high schoolers) are going to the movies! Come and join us as we watch “The Polar Express”. We can't wait to see you there! This will be a great opportunity to hang out with friends and make new ones while enjoying a classic holiday movie. Don't miss out on the fun!

Click on the image below for more information and to register.

This is a perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy the holiday season. With the youngest age group, it is sure to be an exciting and magical experience. The Cranes Roost annual Christmas tree light display is a sight to behold. It is truly a mesmerizing display of lights, ornaments, and garland that will leave you in awe. Don't forget to bring your camera as we will be taking a group picture with the snow angels after the show. Let's make some unforgettable memories with our friends and loved ones this holiday season. See you there!

Click on the image below for more information and to register.

Calling all Dads!

Get ready to enjoy a thrilling game of ice hockey with the Orlando Solar Bears as they take on The Wheeling Nailers from West Virginia. This promises to be an exciting event as you join in to cheer on your favorite team.

Dads, this is your chance to have a night out with (or without!) your children and connect with other dads. The FOUNDATION has got you covered by paying $15 of the $20 ticket cost. Members only have to pay $5 per ticket.



For those who need financial assistance, scholarships are available. Simply email your questions to robin.longley@dsfflorida.org. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled night with our amazing group of dads!

Click on the image below for more information and to register.

The Down Syndrome Clinic for Adults is jointly hosted by the Down Syndrome Foundation and Orlando Health. The clinic is designed for adults ages 17 +. Providers available for consultation include a cardiologist, endocrinologist, dietician, dentist, gynecologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and neuropsychologist. More providers will be added - stay tuned!

Information on community resources will also be available. All participants will have a hearing evaluation by an audiologist. Also, as part of your resource packet, all families will receive a list of local providers.

Clinic is FREE. Space is limited.

Click on the image below for more information and to register!

Saturday, February 3

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave. Orlando, 32801

Come learn more about the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida and how we can support you and your family. Meeting other families on the same journey will be life-changing at our "Welcome Baby! Welcome Family!" Breakfast! This program is open to all families with a member from birth to age two.

The FOUNDATION is committed to fostering a culture of learning and development! Our iCan! Work program is designed to provide the tools and resources needed to grow both personally and professionally. You will have access to success coaches as well as training and development sessions to help you enhance your skills and knowledge.

Our program is now looking for members to join our Spring 2024 Orlando Health Cohort. Work at a location near YOU in the department of your choosing (Food and Nutrition, Environmental Service, Transportation & Equipment, and Guest Services).

This is a 12-week PAID internship. Apply now for more information.

Come be part of the Orlando Magic excitement!

Are you 18 years or older with Down syndrome?

Did you know that you can work at the Orlando Magic games and get paid?!

When: December 2023-April 2024

Time: Various times

Location: Amway Center

(Click on the link below to see the Orlando Magic's upcoming dates and times)

You must attend a minimum of 16 games to be paid $12/hr.

You will be helping prep snacks and deliver food to the Club and VIP level.

If you are interested in working at the Amway Center and earning a paycheck please reach out to Caroline today at caroline.sanchez@dsfflorida.org.

Thank you for considering becoming a volunteer for the iCan! Work program with The FOUNDATION!

This is an incredible opportunity to make a difference and have a great time volunteering!

By joining our amazing group of volunteers, you will be contributing to the success of this program and making a positive impact!

We look forward to having you join us and becoming a part of something truly magical!

Anyone 18 years old or older can volunteer and help our iCan! Work program at the Amway Center! (This includes members with T21 who are 18+ and cannot commit to 16 games - you can volunteer with a family member).

This is a great way to keep your membership with

The FOUNDATION active.

Click here to get started.

Are you looking for a fresh start for the New Year?

Below are some ways to work on INDEPENDENCE in YOUR house!  

Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network has recognized the importance of equipping individuals with Down syndrome with practical life skills. 

Teaching our loved ones independence and daily functioning is going to allow individuals to lead fulfilling lives by achieving their academic and personal goals.

• Teach skills such as self-care routines- brush teeth, put hair in a ponytail, get dressed, clip fingernails, and groom hair.

• Money management- chores/allowance, Greenlight card, bank account, using money to purchase items, and paying bills.

• Time management- setting an alarm, following through with a routine, timed meals, managing social commitments, and making appointments. 

• Communication and social skills- cell phone/texting, emails, navigating social situations, handling conflicts at home and in social settings.

• Basic household tasks- empty the dishwasher, fold the clothes, make the bed, water the plants, vacuum the floor, and do laundry.

By incorporating these skills into your home life, your young adult will be better prepared for greater independence as they transition to adulthood.

To gain a better understanding of the independence skills being asked of students when entering a transitional IES program, click on the Independence Inventory Checklist below.

Thanks to YOUR successful efforts during #GivingTuesday and our Tour of Champions Bowl-A-thon, we are able to add new programs for our members each year. We are excited to announce that in January 2024 we will launch The FOUNDATION PEERS Program. 

Developed at UCLA, this is an evidence-based program that uses strategies and tools for SUCCESS in social settings. PEERS, which stands for Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills, is an innovative and dynamic program designed to empower individuals with unique abilities. We will offer two inaugural groups in January: one for teens (14 -18) and one for adults (18 and up.) 

The PEERS program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of social skills. Through engaging group sessions, interactive role-playing exercises, and real-life practice opportunities, participants gain the confidence and know-how to navigate social situations with ease.

Topics the program will cover include: 

• Conversational Skills
• Finding a Source of Friends
• Electronic Communication
• Appropriate Use of Humor
• Handling Disagreements
• Handling Bullying
• Dating Etiquette (Adult Class only)

Young adulthood is a crucial time for social development, and acquiring effective social skills is integral to building meaningful relationships. The PEERS program is tailored to address the distinctive challenges faced by young adults with unique abilities, including navigating the complexities of social interactions both online and offline.

By participating in PEERS, your loved one will have the opportunity to develop and strengthen their social skills in a structured and supportive setting.

Click here to learn more about PEERS. Registration opens soon!