Global Down Syndrome Foundation Awards Over $475K in Educational Grants

Ed Grant Winners 2017

2017 Awardees Announced at the Annual National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in Sacramento, CA Include 9 Global Member Organizations from 8 States

On July 20, 2017 the Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Global) awarded $75,250 to 9 organizations in 8 states through itsEducational Grants program, one of two unique membership grant programs offered by Global.  The grants were announced at the NDSC Annual Convention, which attracted nearly 4,000 attendees in Sacramento, CA. To date, Global’s Educational Grants have provided $475,250 to over 50 innovative programs developed by Down syndrome organizations across the nation.

“The local Down syndrome organizations who have received our Educational Grants have made an amazing impact in their communities improving the lives of thousands of individuals with Down syndrome,” said Michelle Sie Whitten, President & CEO of Global. “We are proud to foster growth and provide resources to even more local organizations this year.”

Global’s 2017 Educational Grants fund nine programs in eight states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The 2017 Educational Grant recipients and their funded programs are:

  1. Connecticut Down Syndrome Congress (Meridan, CT) “Open Books Open Doors” provides free literacy assessments and skill development for children with Down syndrome, as well as resources for parents and teachers regarding best practices in literacy instruction.
  1. Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida (Winter Park, FL) “Entrepreneur Academy” is intended for teens and adults with Down syndrome who are interested in starting their own micro-enterprises. The program will teach and empower individuals on business ventures and conclude with an entrepreneur showcase.
  1. Down Syndrome Association of Central New Jersey (Ewing, NJ) “I Can Ride and I Can Swim” is a health and wellness camp that will allow individuals with Down syndrome to gain skills in biking and swimming.
  1. Down Syndrome Association of Delaware (Middletown, DE) “Employment Readiness Training Workshop” is for teenage and adult self-advocates along with their parents and guardians focusing on how to find a job and the necessary life skills for employment, such as time management, communication, interview processes, work ethic, and more.
  1. Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL) “Career Solutions, Working Towards Success Workshop” is an employment readiness course offered to young adults with Down syndrome working towards a goals of employment after graduation. Participants will be taught professionalism, teamwork, networking, problem solving skills, and more.
  1. embraceKulture (San Francisco, CA) “Parent Skills Training for At-Home Intervention in Uganda” is an educational program designed to train parents in skills to deliver intervention at home, specifically an emphasis on cognitive and social skills to achieve academic goals and improve parent-child interactions.
  1. Gigi’s Playhouse El Paso (El Paso, TX) “Medical Symposium for Individuals with Down Syndrome from Birth to Adulthood” is a yearly conference that will address the medical and mental health needs of individuals with Down syndrome by bringing in experts to educate and inform professionals and families.
  1. Gigi’s Playhouse Milwaukee (Milwaukee, WI) “One-On-One Math Tutoring Program” will pair students with Down syndrome with tutors in individually scheduled sessions to build upon their math skills such as shapes, fractions, measurement, time, money, and data.
  1. Triangle Down Syndrome Network (Raleigh, NC) “Specialized Learning Series” will work with parents and caregivers on how to teach their children with Down syndrome reading, math, and writing in a systematic instructive way with trained professionals. After instruction, families will practice learned skills with their child in a classroom sample setting with trained educators.

Global is proud to count over 900 members made up of local, state, national, and international Down syndrome organizations. Advantages of Global membership benefits include access to two competitive grant programs: Self-Advocate Employment Initiative Grants and Educational Grants. Educational Grants up to $10K fund innovative grant programs for education professionals, self-advocates, medical professionals, parents and caregivers, and beyond.

“We are grateful for the support of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation as we continue our mission to help individuals with Down syndrome realize their full potential. This grant helps us teach and empower teens and adults with Down syndrome on business ventures, which will conclude with a showcase to highlight their micro-enterprises,” said Janet Caramello, Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida.

Eligibility to be awarded Educational Grants is just one of the benefits of Global membership. To learn about other member benefits and to become a member please visit the membership page.

Contact:
Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Kathy Green
KathyGreen.Consultant@GlobalDownSyndrome.org
303 321 6277