Players from the Park Tudor Boys Varsity and Junior Varsity tennis teams will be receiving the Bronze Level President’s Volunteer Service Award for initiating a permanent seasonal tennis program for Down Syndrome Indiana Organization families. In partnership with Park Tudor School, tennis lessons are offered by the players throughout the fall free of charge for Down Syndrome Indiana families interested in learning the sport. “It has been a fun experience for all of us and we just love the kids”, says Brendan Tannenbaum.
The President’s Council on Service created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Tennis Team Captains, Sam Miles and Kishan Shah, are the official liaisons between Down Syndrome Indiana and the Park Tudor tennis team. The volunteers participating this fall received the Bronze Level Award of 50 plus hours of service include:
Sam Clarke
Sam Geier
Scott Kincannon
Jack Miles
Sam Miles
Matt Neal
Jack Rardon
Kishan Shah
Brendan Tannenbaum
Nick Tannenbaum
“The Park Tudor tennis players have created a fun experience for the kids, with physical fitness, team building and some inventive tennis games”, says a Park Tudor tennis Mom.
Spring tennis clinics will commence again in April with the Park Tudor girls tennis team joining the boys to conduct the clinics.
A huge thanks to the Park Tudor Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams for organizing this wonderful opportunity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
How to Raise $250 in Ten Days
The Down Syndrome Indiana Buddy Walk (R) is on October 10, 2009! Visit http://www.dsindiana.org/ and click on "Buddy Walk" today to sign up a team or to walk on Saturday!
Need some suggestions to raise money...try this idea from our friends in Kansas City:
HOW TO RAISE $250 in Only Ten Days Day
Make a $25 donation =$25
Ask your significant other for $15 contribution= $40
Ask your mom or dad for $15 contribution =$55
Ask a friend for a $15 contribution= $70
Ask your boss for $25 contribution= $95
*Don't forget to ask if your company has a
matching gift program
Ask 3 co-workers for $15 contribution =$140
Ask your sister or brother for $15 contribution= $155
Ask your in-laws for a $15 contribution= $170
Ask 2 neighbors for $15 contribution =$200
Ask a business owner of somewhere you spend
money for a $50 contribution =$250
Thanks, again, for all of your hard work in helping us raise funds! Your contributions will go a long way in helping Hoosiers with Down syndrome and their families!
Regards,
Jen Smith'09 Buddy Walk Coordinator
Need some suggestions to raise money...try this idea from our friends in Kansas City:
HOW TO RAISE $250 in Only Ten Days Day
Make a $25 donation =$25
Ask your significant other for $15 contribution= $40
Ask your mom or dad for $15 contribution =$55
Ask a friend for a $15 contribution= $70
Ask your boss for $25 contribution= $95
*Don't forget to ask if your company has a
matching gift program
Ask 3 co-workers for $15 contribution =$140
Ask your sister or brother for $15 contribution= $155
Ask your in-laws for a $15 contribution= $170
Ask 2 neighbors for $15 contribution =$200
Ask a business owner of somewhere you spend
money for a $50 contribution =$250
Thanks, again, for all of your hard work in helping us raise funds! Your contributions will go a long way in helping Hoosiers with Down syndrome and their families!
Regards,
Jen Smith'09 Buddy Walk Coordinator
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Raise money for Down Syndrome Indiana using Good Search
Here's a new easy way to raise money for your favorite cause, Down Syndrome Indiana. Just start using Yahoo! powered GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to your favorite cause every time you do a search!
In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the charity or school of your choice. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to your cause!
Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.
In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the charity or school of your choice. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to your cause!
Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Terry Allen and Walmart was the star of the last post. Can you guess this star?
This star won the 2007 Citizenship Award from the ARC of Indiana and I cannot think of anyone that exemplifies the value of being a good citizen more than this star! She is a 22 year old with Down syndrome and she has volunteered more 200 hours with Down Syndrome Indiana. This star volunteers in the office every Wednesday. When she first began volunteering for the organization, I had her doing “light” work like labeling the books for the lending library and shredding the pile of papers that needed to be disposed of in a confidential manner. As I came to know this star, I realized that she wanted more meaningful work where she could be sharpening her skills as well as contributing to the organization. It turns out that this star is great on the computer and very careful not to make errors or to thoroughly check that any errors have been corrected. This made this volunteer my right hand (wo)man for data entry. Until a new database was implemented, she was responsible for adding about 2,500 donors to the mailing list from our annual fundraising event called the Buddy Walk®. I honestly don’t know where I would be without this star. The most wonderful thing about her is that she comes to the office week after week just as enthusiastic about helping as she did the first time. She always tells me how happy she is to work at Down Syndrome Indiana. But the truth is, we are lucky to have her!
Not only does this star volunteer for DSI but, she also volunteers for Community North Hospital and Best Buddies Indiana as well as working part-time at Kohls and the YMCA.
Other ways that she exemplifies the meaning of a good citizen are to eat right, exercise regularly and to encourage others not to smoke. Stop smoking campaigns are a passion of this volunteers.
You know those posters, “Everything I Need to Know, I learned in Kindergarten”? Well this star is the one that inspired me to begin one entitled, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Down Syndrome”. This is some of what this star has taught me:
Manners matter.
Being polite is important.
Love what you do.
Share your dreams.
Share your lunch.
Remove all obstacles.
Greet the ones you love with a hug or just greet everyone with a hug.
Pray before you eat.
Include your loved ones in your daily prayers.
Do your best all the time.
Ask questions when you don’t know the answer.
Eat a balanced diet.
Exercise and make it fun.
Be honest.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Words can hurt feelings.
Always focus on what you do have and not on what you don’t have.
Accept it and move on.
Be courageous.
Not only does this star volunteer for DSI but, she also volunteers for Community North Hospital and Best Buddies Indiana as well as working part-time at Kohls and the YMCA.
Other ways that she exemplifies the meaning of a good citizen are to eat right, exercise regularly and to encourage others not to smoke. Stop smoking campaigns are a passion of this volunteers.
You know those posters, “Everything I Need to Know, I learned in Kindergarten”? Well this star is the one that inspired me to begin one entitled, “Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Down Syndrome”. This is some of what this star has taught me:
Manners matter.
Being polite is important.
Love what you do.
Share your dreams.
Share your lunch.
Remove all obstacles.
Greet the ones you love with a hug or just greet everyone with a hug.
Pray before you eat.
Include your loved ones in your daily prayers.
Do your best all the time.
Ask questions when you don’t know the answer.
Eat a balanced diet.
Exercise and make it fun.
Be honest.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Words can hurt feelings.
Always focus on what you do have and not on what you don’t have.
Accept it and move on.
Be courageous.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jessica Green was the answer to the last post. Can you guess the star of this post?
On Thursday, May 21st , 2009, Down Syndrome Indiana awarded this star and the New Albany Wal-Mart a Star Award for their outstanding efforts to advance employment opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome. This star views employment of individuals with a disability as a career changing opportunity and devotes much of his time to working with nonprofit and civic organizations. This star’s work is impressive because he wants to make sure that Wal-Mart not only hires individuals with a disability but also works with them to retain their position and to move up in the company; not just leave the challenge of long term advancement to “job coaches” from outside agencies.
This star has also led the effort to have Wal-Mart begin working with nationally known consultant, James Emmett to redesign technology at 3 Southern Indiana and 9 Kentucky Wal-Mart locations to make it more user friendly to its employees with a disability. James Emmett has also worked with such major corporations as Walgreens and Best Buy.
In addition to this, this star traveled to Washington D.C. in February 2009 and met with legislators to discuss the need for meaningful employment by individuals with a disability under the new ABLE legislation that is being proposed. He also attended a 3 day Affiliates in Action Conference to learn more about Down syndrome.
This star is a store manager for the New Albany Wal-Mart. He also serves on the board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Support Association of Southern Indiana (DSSASI). This star’s inspiration for his work on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome began with the hire of Mark Hublar, a 44 year old individual with Down syndrome that is employed full time by the New Albany store.
This star has also led the effort to have Wal-Mart begin working with nationally known consultant, James Emmett to redesign technology at 3 Southern Indiana and 9 Kentucky Wal-Mart locations to make it more user friendly to its employees with a disability. James Emmett has also worked with such major corporations as Walgreens and Best Buy.
In addition to this, this star traveled to Washington D.C. in February 2009 and met with legislators to discuss the need for meaningful employment by individuals with a disability under the new ABLE legislation that is being proposed. He also attended a 3 day Affiliates in Action Conference to learn more about Down syndrome.
This star is a store manager for the New Albany Wal-Mart. He also serves on the board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Support Association of Southern Indiana (DSSASI). This star’s inspiration for his work on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome began with the hire of Mark Hublar, a 44 year old individual with Down syndrome that is employed full time by the New Albany store.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Can you guess this star?
For the next couple of weeks, I would like to play a game called, Can you guess this star? Each week, I will post the bio of one of DSI’s Superstar volunteers and ask you to guess who it is. I am starting you out with an easy one. So here we go, can you guess this star?
First of all, Down Syndrome Indiana is extremely proud to count this star as a member of the Down Syndrome Indiana Board of Directors. She truly exemplifies the type of leadership that we are looking for in our board members. Not only does this star understand the work that the staff carry out but she volunteers in the office on Fridays and has offered many insights that have made the organization so much stronger! For example while volunteering to assemble new parent packets, this star asked why DSI didn’t offer transition packets for Self Advocates. It was a brilliant idea! DSI families would all benefit from the type of information that would be included in the transition packet, such as, information on independent living, financial resources, safety tips, etc. I am proud to say that because of this individual Down Syndrome Indiana has formed a new partnership with a local university and hospital to create the transition packet. Not only will the packet be helpful to the Down syndrome community but it will also be helpful to the entire disability community as well and let me tell you other organizations in Indiana are excited!
Down Syndrome Indiana encourages all adults with Down syndrome to volunteer in our office on a regular basis to gain skills that would be of benefit to them upon entering the work world. Yes, just volunteering in an office is great and helpful but, Down Syndrome Indiana wanted to be able to offer a product that its advocates could be proud of and show off to the community. The office also prides itself on listening to and valuing the ideas of its Self Advocate volunteers. This star suggested that Self Advocates be given the opportunity to write, publish and distribute their own newsletter; and so in 2008, the Self Advocate’s newsletter, Ups and Downs was born! The newsletter is by and for adults with Down syndrome. This is exactly in line with the mission of DSI, which is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. This newsletter not only gives the advocates a voice, it also helps them gain skills as they are involved in the photography, proofreading, writing of the articles, layout and printing of the publication, etc. If they didn’t already have typing or computer skills, this is a chance for adults with Down syndrome to gain those skills a little at a time in a fun environment. Best of all, when reading the articles one learns just how much more alike each advocate they are than different!!!! Or one can learn just how amazing and persistent adults that have a disability really are!
Here are a list of this star’s accomplishments:
This star was in an inclusive educational environment from preschool through high school and was the first student in Washington Township, a school district in central Indiana, to ask for full inclusion which included asking for placement in her neighborhood school.
During high school This star worked and at Barnes and Noble/ Eddie Bauer/ and two advertising agencies and one radio station. She volunteered at the YMCA in childcare and also the Humane Society during High School.
She also was a member of the THEATRE OF INCLUSION for three years. This was a production put on during the art festival each fall. Dante Francesca was the Director and the troop was made up of individuals with and without challenges.
From high school This star had the opportunity to attend Marion College. She audited classes for one year and commuted from home. She took nutrition, singing, dance, stage production, and volleyball. She also attended dances and extracurricular events there.
From there This star started working for Advantage Medical in Carmel Indiana where she currently works.
She has received the CITIZENSHIP AWARD from Noble of Indiana.
She has published an article in the magazine ABILITY.
She has attended the Building Leadership Workshop sponsored by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community in Bloomington, Indiana.
She is a member of the ARC of Indiana.
She is a member of the National Down Syndrome Congress and was recently elected to the new Self Advocate position on the NDSC Board of Directors.
She attended the Affiliates in Action Coalition in Washington, DC and testified on behalf of two bills that effected individuals with disabilities.
She speaks publicly on the rights of individuals who have special needs.
She was responsible for getting the crosswalk buttons installed at the intersection where she lives: 86/Ditch--She wrote her representative.
Can you guess who, “this star” is?
First of all, Down Syndrome Indiana is extremely proud to count this star as a member of the Down Syndrome Indiana Board of Directors. She truly exemplifies the type of leadership that we are looking for in our board members. Not only does this star understand the work that the staff carry out but she volunteers in the office on Fridays and has offered many insights that have made the organization so much stronger! For example while volunteering to assemble new parent packets, this star asked why DSI didn’t offer transition packets for Self Advocates. It was a brilliant idea! DSI families would all benefit from the type of information that would be included in the transition packet, such as, information on independent living, financial resources, safety tips, etc. I am proud to say that because of this individual Down Syndrome Indiana has formed a new partnership with a local university and hospital to create the transition packet. Not only will the packet be helpful to the Down syndrome community but it will also be helpful to the entire disability community as well and let me tell you other organizations in Indiana are excited!
Down Syndrome Indiana encourages all adults with Down syndrome to volunteer in our office on a regular basis to gain skills that would be of benefit to them upon entering the work world. Yes, just volunteering in an office is great and helpful but, Down Syndrome Indiana wanted to be able to offer a product that its advocates could be proud of and show off to the community. The office also prides itself on listening to and valuing the ideas of its Self Advocate volunteers. This star suggested that Self Advocates be given the opportunity to write, publish and distribute their own newsletter; and so in 2008, the Self Advocate’s newsletter, Ups and Downs was born! The newsletter is by and for adults with Down syndrome. This is exactly in line with the mission of DSI, which is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. This newsletter not only gives the advocates a voice, it also helps them gain skills as they are involved in the photography, proofreading, writing of the articles, layout and printing of the publication, etc. If they didn’t already have typing or computer skills, this is a chance for adults with Down syndrome to gain those skills a little at a time in a fun environment. Best of all, when reading the articles one learns just how much more alike each advocate they are than different!!!! Or one can learn just how amazing and persistent adults that have a disability really are!
Here are a list of this star’s accomplishments:
This star was in an inclusive educational environment from preschool through high school and was the first student in Washington Township, a school district in central Indiana, to ask for full inclusion which included asking for placement in her neighborhood school.
During high school This star worked and at Barnes and Noble/ Eddie Bauer/ and two advertising agencies and one radio station. She volunteered at the YMCA in childcare and also the Humane Society during High School.
She also was a member of the THEATRE OF INCLUSION for three years. This was a production put on during the art festival each fall. Dante Francesca was the Director and the troop was made up of individuals with and without challenges.
From high school This star had the opportunity to attend Marion College. She audited classes for one year and commuted from home. She took nutrition, singing, dance, stage production, and volleyball. She also attended dances and extracurricular events there.
From there This star started working for Advantage Medical in Carmel Indiana where she currently works.
She has received the CITIZENSHIP AWARD from Noble of Indiana.
She has published an article in the magazine ABILITY.
She has attended the Building Leadership Workshop sponsored by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community in Bloomington, Indiana.
She is a member of the ARC of Indiana.
She is a member of the National Down Syndrome Congress and was recently elected to the new Self Advocate position on the NDSC Board of Directors.
She attended the Affiliates in Action Coalition in Washington, DC and testified on behalf of two bills that effected individuals with disabilities.
She speaks publicly on the rights of individuals who have special needs.
She was responsible for getting the crosswalk buttons installed at the intersection where she lives: 86/Ditch--She wrote her representative.
Can you guess who, “this star” is?
Friday, July 31, 2009
I want to know what you think!!!!
I want to hear from you! Please take a moment to fill out the survey that is now posted on the Down Syndrome Indiana website at: http://www.dsindiana.org/ParentSurvey.php.
Your input is essential to making sure that Down Syndrome Indiana continues to offer programs that are relevant and desired by its families all while carrying out its important mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
In the past, you told us that the DSI Buddy Walk® website was difficult to use. So the organization switched to a new online giving program, First Giving. DSI was told that its website needed to be easily accessible to new parents. DSI then revamped and launched an entire brand new website; please visit it at www.dsindiana.org. You said you wanted more information about events and DSI offered a quarterly newsletter, monthly event calendars and an annual report. You told us you wanted to hear more about the programs and services offered and less about fundraising . DSI expanded its programs dramatically. Some of the new programs include Hand2Hand, Cuenta Conmigos, the Minority Family Down Syndrome Network (MFDSN), the Lafayette Area Down Syndrome organization (LADSO), the Self Advocates Program and coming this fall an inclusion specialist program for schools and transition packets for adults with a disability that are transitioning from high school into the adult world. A brand new and extremely exciting endeavor that DSI is embarking on is to work with local colleges to establish a quality postsecondary education program in Indiana for adults with a developmental disability (we hope you feel you are hearing less about the fundraising!).
All of the above programs are a direct result of what our families have told us is important to them during our last strategic planning process. I don’t just want to hear what is important to you every couple of years though. I always want to know what is important to our families so please feel free to fill out the online survey now or whenever you have a wonderful idea that you would like to share with DSI. I want this to be an ongoing communication tool that you can use to improve Down Syndrome Indiana.
I look forward to hearing from you! Again, please feel free to fill out the survey at: http://www.dsindiana.org/ParentSurvey.php.
Your input is essential to making sure that Down Syndrome Indiana continues to offer programs that are relevant and desired by its families all while carrying out its important mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.
In the past, you told us that the DSI Buddy Walk® website was difficult to use. So the organization switched to a new online giving program, First Giving. DSI was told that its website needed to be easily accessible to new parents. DSI then revamped and launched an entire brand new website; please visit it at www.dsindiana.org. You said you wanted more information about events and DSI offered a quarterly newsletter, monthly event calendars and an annual report. You told us you wanted to hear more about the programs and services offered and less about fundraising . DSI expanded its programs dramatically. Some of the new programs include Hand2Hand, Cuenta Conmigos, the Minority Family Down Syndrome Network (MFDSN), the Lafayette Area Down Syndrome organization (LADSO), the Self Advocates Program and coming this fall an inclusion specialist program for schools and transition packets for adults with a disability that are transitioning from high school into the adult world. A brand new and extremely exciting endeavor that DSI is embarking on is to work with local colleges to establish a quality postsecondary education program in Indiana for adults with a developmental disability (we hope you feel you are hearing less about the fundraising!).
All of the above programs are a direct result of what our families have told us is important to them during our last strategic planning process. I don’t just want to hear what is important to you every couple of years though. I always want to know what is important to our families so please feel free to fill out the online survey now or whenever you have a wonderful idea that you would like to share with DSI. I want this to be an ongoing communication tool that you can use to improve Down Syndrome Indiana.
I look forward to hearing from you! Again, please feel free to fill out the survey at: http://www.dsindiana.org/ParentSurvey.php.
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