July
- Fall scholarships open
- July 9 - Mom's Night Out
- July 12 - T21 Social Network (18+)
- July 15 - Classroom Behavior and Innovative Teaching
- July 17 - Play Date - Snow White at Shakespeare Theater
- July 18 - Parent Meeting (Topic: Oral Placement Therapy)
- July 20 - New Parent Mentor Training
- July 23 - Club 321
- July 26 - Play Date in Lakeland
- July 28 - August 2 - iCan! Bike Camp
August
- Camping Registration Opens
- August 2- Deadline to apply for Fall Scholarships
- August 15 - Parent Meeting
- August 22 - Play Date at MyGym
September
- September 7 - iCan! Programs at UCF
- September 19 - Parent Meeting
- September 28 - Field day at Windermere Prep High School
- September 29 - Play Date at MyGym (Maitland)
October
- October 5 - 10th Anniversary Celebration & Down Syndrome Awareness Month Party
- October 12 - iCan! Programs at UCF
- October 26 - iCan! Programs at UCF
November
- November 1-3 - Camping Jamboree
- November 16 - iCan! Programs at UCF
February 2020
- February 16 - 10th Annual Tour of Champions Bowl-A-Thon
Don't want to miss out on our events?
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There's still time to register!
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The mission of iCan! Bike Camp is to provide learning opportunities in recreational activities for people with unique abilities. Each person’s abilities are embraced and nurtured to foster an environment where everyone can shine!
BENEFITS FOR RIDERS
- Increase in self-esteem so that confidence spills over into many other aspects of their lives.
- Positive changes in family dynamics (family-based recreational opportunities).
- Inclusion opportunities.
- Independent transportation.
- Improves physical fitness, mental health and overall quality of life.
Success rate of riders independently riding a two-wheel bicycle by the end of our camp is approximately 80% and all riders progress and gain skills during the week.
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When
: Sunday, July 28 - Friday, August 2, 2019
Where
: Orange County Convention Center
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32719
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If your son/daughter is over 8, you don't want to miss this life changing opportunity!
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A Decade of Opportunities
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Since our inception, The FOUNDATION has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships for educational programs, speech therapies, family assistance and much more. Most recently, we've partnered with Levy's restaurants with our iCan! Work program which helps individuals with Down syndrome gain meaningful employment experiences.
"The constant support and dedication to kids and families whether it’s through programs, scholarships or workshops, the FOUNDATION’S motto stands true in every way “When POTENTIAL is given OPPORTUNITY the outcome is SUCCESS”. The Foundation is a volunteer run organization and as a business leader I know that means when you give a dollar that dollar is going to a family. I have been truly thankful and grateful for the opportunities The FOUNDATION has given Ella. In my eyes, The FOUNDATION equals potential. Each journey is your own, but I am blessed the Down Syndrome FOUNDATION of Florida has opened doors of opportunity for us. "
– The Kraus Family
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Keep on the lookout for different opportunities to celebrate with us on social media.
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Here's to a decade of opportunities
and many more!
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Fall Scholarships are open!
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The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida believes that the more opportunities any individual is given the greater the likelihood of their
success
!
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Every successful athlete, academic achiever or musical prodigy has many dedicated hours of practice, study and effort. It is our goal to provide more and more opportunities throughout the community for individuals with Down syndrome to be involved and included - not just because it is the right thing to do, but because we know EVERYONE will benefit from it!
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Deadline to apply for Fall Scholarships is
Friday, August 2
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Being a mom is hard work. Really hard work (but that’s preaching to the choir, right?!!). As moms, our help and support is in constant demand … but you can’t constantly give when your own cup is running dry. We would like to help FILL UP YOUR CUP!
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Join us for our monthly outing to share your evening with beloved friends and connect with new ones within the community.
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Date:
July 9th
Time:
6:30pm
Location:
Teak in Maitland
(
901 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751)
The FOUNDATION will put $15 towards your meal. You just pay the difference!
This event is sponsored by: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Tampa.
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Join our own Elyse Mundelein for a fun Zumba class at
Zoo Health Club at the Oviedo Mall!
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After we dance it out, we'll walk over to the food court and enjoy dinner together. This event is sure to be a blast and we can't wait to shake our tail feathers with Elyse!
This program is for members 18+ and will give them the opportunity to gain independence, make their own transactions and decisions, socialize, and make new friends and memories!
Date:
Friday, July 12th
Time
: 5:15pm -7:45pm
Location:
Drop Off - Zoo Health Club - Oviedo Mall; Pick Up - Oviedo Mall Food Court (
1173 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, Oviedo, FL 32765)
Cost:
Zumba is free! Just bring money for dinner.
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Classroom Behavior and Innovative Teaching
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SPREAD THE WORD!
Invite your son/daughter's teachers!
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The workshop will cover the following topics:
• Strategies to set students up for success in the classroom.
• How to prevent and treat certain behaviors to get students back to learning.
• Tools to support all learners in a class.
This workshop is NOT just for special education teachers! Any teacher who is dealing with persistent, challenging behaviors that distract from an engaging learning environment will benefit from this program.
(The course will count toward up to 6 SWD points for most districts.)
This program is also open to (parents) members of The FOUNDATION.
When:
Monday, July 15, 2019
9:00am-3:00pm
Check-in at 8:30am
Where:
Good Shepherd
5900 Oleander Dr
Orlando, FL 32807
Cost:
$10 registration fee includes morning refreshments & lunch
*Scholarships are available from The FOUNDATION if needed.
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Parent informational Meeting -
What is
Oral Placement Therapy?
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Renee Roy Hill, MS, CCC-SLP, will be presenting a general overview of the TalkTools methodology to individuals and families who would like to learn more about Oral Placement Therapy. TalkTools has developed user-friendly products to support their hierarchical approach of what is traditionally known as oral placement therapy.
This is a home based therapy program that uses straws, horns, bubbles and more to help with articulation, feeding, speech and more. It goes beyond traditional speech / language therapy and builds muscles, coordination, jaw stability while addressing sensory and feeding issues - through what seems like play! Come learn more and ask questions. This program will go over their methodology and tools AND let you walk away with a few things you can implement when you go home!
Renee Roy Hill has provided therapeutic assessments and program planning for adults and children with oral placement, feeding and motor speech deficits for over 17 years. She is the owner of
Crossroads Therapy Clinic
in New Braunfels, TX and a member of the TalkTools® speakers bureau. Renee has been an invited speaker for ASHA state conventions and has received specialized training in speech/oral-motor/feeding therapy, Apraxia, sensory processing disorders, Hanen Courses, NDT training, TAMO therapy and PROMPT. She is the creator of the TalkTools® Schedule Board Kit, co-author of
Ice Sticks
, and author of the TalkTools®
Apraxia Program
.
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Date
- Thursday, July 18
Time
- 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location
-
Summit Church
735 Herndon Ave
Orlando, FL 32803
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Want to make a positive impact?
Here's your chance!
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The Foundation is excited to continue expanding our iCan Work program. We are currently recruiting for both Volunteer Job Coaches and for participants (21+ and above) to join our program.
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Job Coaches should be over 18 years old and available a minimum of 3-6 hours per week for coaching our participants. Job Coaches will work 1:1 or 1:2 with our participants at our different work locations. The coach will be assigned to an individual and will work directly with that participant.
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Date
: Tuesday, July 23rd
Time
: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location
: Camille's house (Downtown Orlando)
Details
: Join us for an evening in the pool and dinner with friends! Take a break from the summer sun and cool off with other middle and high school students for our monthly drop off program.
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Playdate - Back to back FUN!
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Kids like to hang out with their pals. Parents need fun with friends too.
Hello, Play Dates!
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The Brothers Grimm fairy tale comes to life onstage, in a fast-paced, comical rendition of the classic story of love, envy, and magic.
When: Friday, July 17
Time: 10:00am
Location: Orlando Shakes
812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
Cost: $5 (total cost is $10 and the Foundation will cover $5)
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Join us for a FUN day at the museum
followed by a COOL-OFF at Hollis Garden's splash pad!
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Thank you to Laura Kraus for planning this Play Date!
When: Friday, July 26
Time: 10:00am
Location: Explorations V Children's Museum
109 N. Kentucky Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33801-5044
Bring lunch for picnic & change of clothes for splash pad (weather permitting)
Cost $9 per person
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Registration is now open!
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iCan Learn!
This program is designed for children ages 4-9 who are just entering or about to enter the school system. We partner wit
h
UCF's College of Community Innovation and Education
and
work with students who help our families with tools and
resources focused on research based methods proven to help our children through 5 centers -
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Reading, Math, Speech and Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy. Through iCan Learn! we will
provid
e more hands on learning and skills geared for the 21st Century and beyond.
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iCan Excel!
iCan Excel offers youth ages 10-15 the opportunity to get moving and have fun. Our participants learn mindfulness and yoga in a supportive and creative environment. The goal of the program is to teach exercise as an effective way to manage and reduce stress levels and develop effective coping strategies.
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College & Career Prep
This program is beneficial for those 16 and older who want to continue to learn and develop skills that will help them be successful in the community. Participants and UCF students explore various parts of community life from navigating campus to building a budget to exploring healthy eating and exercise options. There is a presentation for the young adults as well as speakers who come to educate the parents about how to facilitate independence after high school. Keep an eye out for a list of our amazing speakers in the August newsletter!
This program is sponsored by Disney.
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iCan! Program dates
September 7
October 12
October 26
November 16
January 18
February 22
February 29
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What is a mentor?
We are actively looking for individuals who are open to sharing their parenting skills, life experiences and open communication skills with parents and families who need their support and guidance. People who choose to mentor parents make a difference in the lives of the people they help and in their communities.
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These mentors will provide new parents with:
- Emotional support and understanding.
- Up-to-date information on Down syndrome.
- Information on local services.
- Hope for what the future can hold.
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Interested in becoming a mentor?
We are building a team of mentors to share their experiences and provide support to new parents joining our community. Come be a part of something special!
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The FOUNDATION will provide a training on
July 20th
to all those interested in serving as a mentor.
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Location: UCF Campus
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
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“Hello! Please don’t hang up… did you know that you could save a bundle on…?
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Camping Jamboree - SAVE THE DATE!
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Where
: Jetty Park Campground - 9035 Campground Cir.
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
When
: November 1st - 3rd
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Keep an eye out for a registration link in next month's newsletter!
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Let's get social!
Follow us on social media for more information
and to stay updated on our upcoming events!
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