November 7, 2013

Dear DSAHRC Supporters:

Since 1981 the Centre du syndrome de Down has been providing support and information to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, enabling them to reach their fullest potential and become productive members of their communities.

These programs and services have been and continue to be, for the most part, unfunded. The limited income raised by our membership dues and fundraising activities has become inadequate to support the essential programs and services we provide. This past year we closed our office and relocated our operations and Education Coordinator, Namita Modasra, into the Corporate Woods office of the Center for Disability Services.

In order to ensure the continued viability and quality of DSAHRC’s programs and services, we have partnered with the Center for Disability Services. This partnership will allow the DSAHRC to continue to fulfill its mission-- and Namita Modasra, as staff of the Center for Disability Services, will continue to deliver and pioneer the same core programs and services the community finds indispensible. In 2014, you can expect the same quality parent-to-parent support, professional education consultation and training for families and school districts, self-advocate support and programming, educational seminars, the Reading Tutorial Program and…. Of course…. The Buddy Walk!

In addition, this relationship will further allow us to access the Center’s wide range of specialized support staff to help us sustain and grow our services. Much like our own, the Center’s mission is “to enable and empower people, primarily those with disabilities, to lead healthy and enriched lives.” I encourage you to visit the Center’s website and learn more about the services they offer and the supports they provide to our program.

Under the new structure, the, DSAHRC Board of Directors will take on an advisory role, and the membership and corporate structure will cease to exist. There will no longer be a paid membership; instead, the Center for Disability Services will initiate a fundraising plan in conjunction with our previous members and constituents to raise funds exclusively dedicated and restricted to support the DSAHRC programs and services. We will keep you abreast of these changes as they are put into effect throughout the New Year.

We appreciate your ongoing support of the DSAHRC and its vital role for individuals with Down syndrome and their families in our community, and thank the Center for Disability Services for their support today and into the future. Sincerely yours,

Lisa Connally
Co-President
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Gayle Farman
C-President
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