We here at Crippen are looking to make 2017 a record year for giving back to our communities. We are holding monthly intraoffice fundraisers to benefit 12 different charities this year through our new Crippen Cares™ initiative. Our nonprofit spotlight is on this month’s fundraiser recipient, The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida.
The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida is a non-profit organization started by a group of visionary parents who wanted to have a direct impact on children, families and the community as they journeyed through life with a loved one with Down syndrome. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida believes when potential is given opportunity, the outcome is success. The mission of The Foundation is to empower lives for a brighter future by facilitating projects that enhance the welfare, education, health, and artistic and athletic abilities of individuals with Down syndrome. They envision a day where people with Down syndrome are fully included in their communities: working, playing, studying and living together with their peers. It is their hope that individuals with Down syndrome will be seen as ”More Alike Than Different,” and strive to instill this belief in their local communities through outreach and programs. This goal is to benefit the community as a whole, not just the individual. As a grassroots organization made up of volunteers, The Foundation believes that, through creative programs and partnerships, they can facilitate opportunities and experiences so that there is no mystery or myth about people with Down syndrome. Their goal is to promote inclusion, understanding and acceptance by expanding opportunities for individuals, families and communities touched by Down syndrome. The Foundation provides people with Down syndrome and families opportunities to enhance their lives through strategic partnerships, unique programs that create ‘inclusion’ settings naturally, family support, and meaningful community involvement. The vision of The Foundation is to create an environment where people with Down syndrome are included in every facet of the community. Part of their work includes the iCan programs – iCan Bike, iCan Excel, iCan Learn, iCan Communicate, as well as College & Career Prep programs for children and adults with Down syndrome. Additionally, they work to facilitate scholarships for a variety of causes. The Foundation Community Scholarship provides financial support to families for any activity of choice that will benefit an individual’s ability to grow, interact with their peers, and gain further social, academic, and/or social skills.
To learn more about their work in our state, please contact them on Facebook, or at their website: http://www.dsfflorida.org/Join_DSFF.html.