Our Mission
We are a volunteer group of parents, friends and families committed to raising awareness and understanding of Down syndrome, and to removing societal barriers that place limits on our children’s ability to be valued and contributing members of our community.
Our Vision
Every person, regardless of their developmental strength or disability has the right to be accepted, to work, and to feel valued in the community. These are priceless assets that should be readily available to our children.
We will “Spread our Wings” and have a stronger impact as a volunteer group of advocates by:
• fundraising in the community and using those funds to provide special services in the form of Occupational, Speech and Music Therapy to help our children and young adults develop and grow;
• raising awareness of Down syndrome by developing affiliate groups across NL and Labrador and using that collaboration to better help all persons with Down syndrome be integrated members of our community;
• to help more people with Down syndrome find the self-esteem and joy of having a real job.
Our History
A snap-shot of our beginning and our growth
The Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society started in 1997 with a meeting of a group of parents of children with Down syndrome eager to make a difference in their children’s lives. From that initial meeting, a makeshift Board began to form and monthly meetings were held around various dining room tables.
In the early days of 1998, without the benefit of “non-profit” status, fundraising was difficult, but we persevered and tried a little of everything – from car washes, to writing letters to Legions, to canvasing local charity support groups. The first real donation we were given was a fruit basket from a local grocer. We set up a table at the local Mall, camped out there for an afternoon, and managed to raise all of $100. We were on our way!
In early 1999, we established a collaboration with Noble Drilling through which the Society would receive the funds raised from Noble’s annual charity golf tournament.
With our small office and a limited source of private funding – and no Government funding, we began the next chapter in the growth of NLDSS:
- in October 1999, the Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society was incorporated;
- in 1999, we opened our first office at 237 Pennywell Road in a space donated by the Vera Perlin Society, where we had a work station and a Library/Resource Centre;
- in April 2000, we participated in our first National Down Syndrome Conference held in Cape Breton where we learned a lot about other Society activities;
- in 2003 we hired our first Advocate with Down syndrome to work in the office, and we hired our first part-time speech therapist to help our kids;
- in 2004 we hosted the National Down Syndrome Conference – a huge success!
- By 2014 we had moved into a larger office,and offered our therapy services from this location on Pippy Pl
- Now in 2024 we have navigated the Covid 19 pandemic, are utilizing online platform to offer therapy services, have grown our membership to include more members from all over the island, and continue to host events like our playgroup and BBQ in the summer as well traditional events like our community breakfast during Down syndrome awareness week.
It is all about ability – not disability, and “there is so much more to us than meets the eye…”
Board Of Directors
Chair – Rob Harvey
Treasurer- Sue Horne
Directors:
Linda Roberts
Caron McDonald
Mike Billard
Jen Martin
Allison Hannam
If you are interested in applying to volunteer with our Board of Directors please email nldssoffice@gmail.com
