Check out Down Syndrome Indiana's latest offering!
Official logo and apparel items are available at
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Please join us in proudly wearing the new Down Syndrome Indiana apparel.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
20 Volunteers with the most hours logged at DSI...
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to the many volunteers who work so hard to make Down Syndrome Indiana such a wonderful organization! I would like to offer a special thank you to those of you that submit your hours to the office for tracking. Based on those hours, the following 20 volunteers have logged the most hours volunteering with Down Syndrome Indiana! Please pay special attention to those volunteers with a * after their name. These volunteers are self advocates and I think it is important to recognize the many contributions that individuals with Down syndrome make to Down Syndrome Indiana and their communities as a whole.....
Angie Cain*
Jessica Green*
Dee Sheda
Ellen Kempski*
Joel Persinger*
Joe Meares
Dominique Lewis*
Patricia Finkley
Jan Huffman
Vickie Hartman
Dr. Schreiner
Katie Shaw*
Marty Mason*
David Wood
Angie Everton
Rob Morgan
Libby Sheda
Morgan Sheda
Drew Marsh
Timothy McGinnis
Thank you again to all the Down Syndrome Indiana volunteers!
Happy Holidays,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Angie Cain*
Jessica Green*
Dee Sheda
Ellen Kempski*
Joel Persinger*
Joe Meares
Dominique Lewis*
Patricia Finkley
Jan Huffman
Vickie Hartman
Dr. Schreiner
Katie Shaw*
Marty Mason*
David Wood
Angie Everton
Rob Morgan
Libby Sheda
Morgan Sheda
Drew Marsh
Timothy McGinnis
Thank you again to all the Down Syndrome Indiana volunteers!
Happy Holidays,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Thursday, December 10, 2009
On Servant Leadership....
A servant leader can be defined as someone that:
… believes their primary mission is to serve the needs of their constituents;
…measures their effectiveness in terms of their ability to help others and not just a bottom line;
…sees themselves as working for the group as a whole instead of seeking individual recognition;
…is self sacrificing and humble, always using their talents to help elevate a group;
…is one that not only develops budgets and strategic plans but also helps to develop people, giving them an opportunity to gain new skills and shine in their own way;
While this definition describes every Down Syndrome Indiana board member, there is one in particular that I would like to recognize and that is current DSI board President, Steve Simpson. Steve has been President since 2005 and announced his desire to resign from the Presidency earlier this year. During his term, the organization has come incredibly far! I remember being present at a board meeting several years ago when the question was raised that if IDSF were a car and you looked under the hood, would you really see a well oiled/ well maintained vehicle? Or, might you be disappointed with what you saw? I don’t have the answer to that question but, I am so proud to say that if that question were posed today, the answer would be an easy, we may not be a fine tuned machine yet but we are certainly always striving for constant improvement to reach that ultimate goal of excellence! Steve, has taken us from the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation to Down Syndrome Indiana and what we are today. Where there was not one before, we now have a clear mission to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our strategic plan serves as the roadmap for the work that staff does. An organized internal structure, an amazing working/ functioning and evolving board, as well as the best volunteers any organization could ask for, serve as our compass. Our programs and successful events, like our Holiday Party and Summer Picnic, where families come together and make needed connections serve as the vehicle to get us where we want to go. In short, Steve has helped develop DSI into a sound and professionally run organization that truly believes in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. He is absolutely to be commended for everything he has done. So, to my mentor, my coach, my supervisor and my friend, ….. Thank you!
During the November board meeting, our board voted in a new President, Jeff Huffman, that will take office beginning January 1st, 2010.
Steve, again you are leaving us in a place that is much better than when you joined it. In my opinion, that is the true mark of a leader. It is my hope that DSI can continue the legacy and the charge that you are leaving with us.
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
… believes their primary mission is to serve the needs of their constituents;
…measures their effectiveness in terms of their ability to help others and not just a bottom line;
…sees themselves as working for the group as a whole instead of seeking individual recognition;
…is self sacrificing and humble, always using their talents to help elevate a group;
…is one that not only develops budgets and strategic plans but also helps to develop people, giving them an opportunity to gain new skills and shine in their own way;
While this definition describes every Down Syndrome Indiana board member, there is one in particular that I would like to recognize and that is current DSI board President, Steve Simpson. Steve has been President since 2005 and announced his desire to resign from the Presidency earlier this year. During his term, the organization has come incredibly far! I remember being present at a board meeting several years ago when the question was raised that if IDSF were a car and you looked under the hood, would you really see a well oiled/ well maintained vehicle? Or, might you be disappointed with what you saw? I don’t have the answer to that question but, I am so proud to say that if that question were posed today, the answer would be an easy, we may not be a fine tuned machine yet but we are certainly always striving for constant improvement to reach that ultimate goal of excellence! Steve, has taken us from the Indiana Down Syndrome Foundation to Down Syndrome Indiana and what we are today. Where there was not one before, we now have a clear mission to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. Our strategic plan serves as the roadmap for the work that staff does. An organized internal structure, an amazing working/ functioning and evolving board, as well as the best volunteers any organization could ask for, serve as our compass. Our programs and successful events, like our Holiday Party and Summer Picnic, where families come together and make needed connections serve as the vehicle to get us where we want to go. In short, Steve has helped develop DSI into a sound and professionally run organization that truly believes in enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome. He is absolutely to be commended for everything he has done. So, to my mentor, my coach, my supervisor and my friend, ….. Thank you!
During the November board meeting, our board voted in a new President, Jeff Huffman, that will take office beginning January 1st, 2010.
Steve, again you are leaving us in a place that is much better than when you joined it. In my opinion, that is the true mark of a leader. It is my hope that DSI can continue the legacy and the charge that you are leaving with us.
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tis the Season to be thankful...
I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to the Down Syndrome Indiana 2009 Buddy Walk® sponsors. Our wonderful event could not have been possible without your continued support and dedication. The 2009 sponsors were as follows:
The Russell and Natalie Best Charitable Fund
WISH TV 8/MY WNDY 23
Gordon Plumbing and Indy Portables
Hilton
Kroger
Montgomery Aviation
The Lyle Foundation
Beaty Construction
Carmel Pediatrics
First Class Lawncare
Irrigation Plus
Riley Children’s Hospital
Dr. Carol McKown, DDS
Midwest Orthotics
Noble of Indiana
WestPoint Financial Group
Speech Pathology Services
Univar
Again, thank you for all you do to support our families!
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
The Russell and Natalie Best Charitable Fund
WISH TV 8/MY WNDY 23
Gordon Plumbing and Indy Portables
Hilton
Kroger
Montgomery Aviation
The Lyle Foundation
Beaty Construction
Carmel Pediatrics
First Class Lawncare
Irrigation Plus
Riley Children’s Hospital
Dr. Carol McKown, DDS
Midwest Orthotics
Noble of Indiana
WestPoint Financial Group
Speech Pathology Services
Univar
Again, thank you for all you do to support our families!
Dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with Down syndrome,
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Friday, November 20, 2009
Here we grow again....
Here we grow again….
I am so excited to announce some more wonderful changes here in the Down Syndrome Indiana office! First of all, I would like to welcome our newest parent group called Raising Special Kids Down syndrome support group which will serve the Muncie, IN area. This parent group will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 7pm at Hillcroft Services, 114 East Streeter Avenue in Muncie, IN 47303. In addition to the parent support group meeting, there will be educational programming for the children which will be lead by professionals in the fields of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Pathology. For more information, please feel free to contact the DSI office at 317-925-7617 and speak with Stephanie Glowner or contact Debbie McCoy at slaterjomc@gmail.com.
I am pleased to name Stephanie Glowner as Parent Support and Education Coordinator. As PS&E Coordinator, Stephanie will be the main contact for our families in need of support as well as the main contact for our parent group chairs and parent groups in general. Stephanie is the mother of Katy and brings a wealth of personal experience and warm hearted humor to the position. It truly brightens the office to have Stephanie on staff and I have no doubt that our families who have had contact with her feel the same way. Rachel Wood, DSI Outreach Coordinator will now be coordinating the 2010 Buddy Walk which will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010! Rachel’s background in event planning has made the decision to bring the Buddy Walk ® Coordinator position in house a no-brainer. The first Buddy Walk® Committee meeting will be on January 24th. Anyone is welcome to serve on the Buddy Walk® Committee. If you are interested, please e-mail Rachel at buddywalk@dsindiana.org for more information.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the DSI staff team, Amanda Congrove, DSI Director of Resource Development. Amanda has a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Center on Philanthropy at IUPUI. She has previous experience working for WFYI and Special Olympics Indiana as a fundraiser. One of the qualities that I love about Amanda is that philanthropy, volunteering and serving others, is a value that she believes in and demonstrates in her everyday life. Because of her fundraising and nonprofit management skills coupled with her belief in inclusion and acceptance, I believe she will excel in her new position and hope that all of you extend the same warm welcome to her that you have extended to the current staff when we joined DSI.
I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season.
It is my pleasure to serve you!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
I am so excited to announce some more wonderful changes here in the Down Syndrome Indiana office! First of all, I would like to welcome our newest parent group called Raising Special Kids Down syndrome support group which will serve the Muncie, IN area. This parent group will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 7pm at Hillcroft Services, 114 East Streeter Avenue in Muncie, IN 47303. In addition to the parent support group meeting, there will be educational programming for the children which will be lead by professionals in the fields of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Pathology. For more information, please feel free to contact the DSI office at 317-925-7617 and speak with Stephanie Glowner or contact Debbie McCoy at slaterjomc@gmail.com.
I am pleased to name Stephanie Glowner as Parent Support and Education Coordinator. As PS&E Coordinator, Stephanie will be the main contact for our families in need of support as well as the main contact for our parent group chairs and parent groups in general. Stephanie is the mother of Katy and brings a wealth of personal experience and warm hearted humor to the position. It truly brightens the office to have Stephanie on staff and I have no doubt that our families who have had contact with her feel the same way. Rachel Wood, DSI Outreach Coordinator will now be coordinating the 2010 Buddy Walk which will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2010! Rachel’s background in event planning has made the decision to bring the Buddy Walk ® Coordinator position in house a no-brainer. The first Buddy Walk® Committee meeting will be on January 24th. Anyone is welcome to serve on the Buddy Walk® Committee. If you are interested, please e-mail Rachel at buddywalk@dsindiana.org for more information.
I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of the DSI staff team, Amanda Congrove, DSI Director of Resource Development. Amanda has a Master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Center on Philanthropy at IUPUI. She has previous experience working for WFYI and Special Olympics Indiana as a fundraiser. One of the qualities that I love about Amanda is that philanthropy, volunteering and serving others, is a value that she believes in and demonstrates in her everyday life. Because of her fundraising and nonprofit management skills coupled with her belief in inclusion and acceptance, I believe she will excel in her new position and hope that all of you extend the same warm welcome to her that you have extended to the current staff when we joined DSI.
I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season.
It is my pleasure to serve you!
Lisa Tokarz-Gutierrez, Executive Director
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Since October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month I thought I would share the following video with you. This video tracks a day at work for Laura Lee. Laura is a young woman with Down syndrome and a recent graduate of The Life Program at George Mason University. Laura is now happily beginning her career at The World Bank in the metro Washington DC area.
http://masonlife.gmu.edu/photo/life_video_laura/
Colleges and Universities across the country are beginning to offer post secondary educational programs that lead to increased employment opportunities for people like Laura Lee. This is very exciting as we are now beginning to change the focus from a “job” to a “career” and recognizing the college experience as one more choice/option for normalizing experiences for young adults with developmental disabilities.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!
http://masonlife.gmu.edu/photo/life_video_laura/
Colleges and Universities across the country are beginning to offer post secondary educational programs that lead to increased employment opportunities for people like Laura Lee. This is very exciting as we are now beginning to change the focus from a “job” to a “career” and recognizing the college experience as one more choice/option for normalizing experiences for young adults with developmental disabilities.
I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
D.A.D.S. Hayride on the 24th!
Howdy 'yall!
Just a quick reminder to dust off your cowboy boots, grab your warmest sweater (that you don't mind getting a little toasted marshmallow goo on), and plan your Saturday afternoon with all your friends from Down Syndrome Indiana and D.A.D.S. at the Annual Hayride!As you can all plainly see, we've been blessed with another BEAUTIFUL fall here in Indiana! And there aren't many places better to enjoy it from than Kyle Spencer's scenic berry farm and pumpkin patch up in Noblesville. We'll have all the fixins for a perfect fall day on the farm: hotdogs, chips, hot apple cider & hot chocolate, popcorn balls and all kinds of other fun fall goodies. The kids can decorate their own pumpkin, jump in the bounce-house, take part in the "Skeleton Relay", or just sit and enjoy the season by our roaring bon fire. And of course, it wouldn't be a hay ride without... a Hay Ride! The whole family can jump up into the Spencer's wagon and take a cruise around the farm behind the tractor.While this is a DADS sponsored event, it is an event for EVERYONE. Even if DAD can't make it, Moms & kids and friends are all welcome to come enjoy the day!The fun starts at 3:00 pm this Saturday, Oct. 24th and lasts till 7:00 pm.The location is the same as the previous years:
Spencer's U-Pick Farm
7177 E. 161st Street
Noblesville, IN
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=7177+E.+161st+Street++++++Noblesville,+IN&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=61.669968,120.849609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=7177+E+161st+St,+Noblesville,+Hamilton,+Indiana+46062&t=h&z=17We'll
See y'all there!!-Ted Scofield Hayride DAD
Because this hayride requires lots of gettin' ready. We like to know how many of you plan to attend.Please contact the DSI office to let us know you'll be there:e-mail at: <register@dsindiana.org>phone at: 317-925-7617Thanks!!-Ted
Just a quick reminder to dust off your cowboy boots, grab your warmest sweater (that you don't mind getting a little toasted marshmallow goo on), and plan your Saturday afternoon with all your friends from Down Syndrome Indiana and D.A.D.S. at the Annual Hayride!As you can all plainly see, we've been blessed with another BEAUTIFUL fall here in Indiana! And there aren't many places better to enjoy it from than Kyle Spencer's scenic berry farm and pumpkin patch up in Noblesville. We'll have all the fixins for a perfect fall day on the farm: hotdogs, chips, hot apple cider & hot chocolate, popcorn balls and all kinds of other fun fall goodies. The kids can decorate their own pumpkin, jump in the bounce-house, take part in the "Skeleton Relay", or just sit and enjoy the season by our roaring bon fire. And of course, it wouldn't be a hay ride without... a Hay Ride! The whole family can jump up into the Spencer's wagon and take a cruise around the farm behind the tractor.While this is a DADS sponsored event, it is an event for EVERYONE. Even if DAD can't make it, Moms & kids and friends are all welcome to come enjoy the day!The fun starts at 3:00 pm this Saturday, Oct. 24th and lasts till 7:00 pm.The location is the same as the previous years:
Spencer's U-Pick Farm
7177 E. 161st Street
Noblesville, IN
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=7177+E.+161st+Street++++++Noblesville,+IN&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=61.669968,120.849609&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=7177+E+161st+St,+Noblesville,+Hamilton,+Indiana+46062&t=h&z=17We'll
See y'all there!!-Ted Scofield Hayride DAD
Because this hayride requires lots of gettin' ready. We like to know how many of you plan to attend.Please contact the DSI office to let us know you'll be there:e-mail at: <register@dsindiana.org>phone at: 317-925-7617Thanks!!-Ted
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