Nonpro t
BY JOVANNA AGUILAR
Locals advocate for those with Down syndrome Gina Marie took over as executive director of Friends of Down Syndrome early this year after launching the nonprot with Rosa Rocha, who has since passed away, in 2014. About the program With a capacity for 60 individuals, Friends of Down Syndrome aims to provide life skills, cre- ative expression and social connections for adults with Down syndrome. “For us, it was just about lling the gap and ensuring that these incredible individuals had a space where they could shine,” Marie said. The nonprot is partially funded by the pro- gram’s tuition rate of $42 a day, which only covers 53% of expenses, Marie said. The specics Through the nonprot’s day habilitation program, Friends of Down Syndrome creates opportunities for participants to expand their skills through cooking, crafting and education. “It’s all about giving them a sense of indepen- dence and condence,” Marie said. Marie said the nonprot works to advocate for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to be provided with the rights and benets needed. “There’s currently about a 13-year waiting list for people in the IDD community to get benets through the state of Texas,” Marie said. “Those benets cover much-needed therapies and admis- sion to our program. And so we are just talking with our people in oce and trying to get that to change.”
Friends of Down Syndrome participants attend one social outing a month to enhance their social skills.
PHOTOS COURTESY FRIENDS OF DOWN SYNDROME
WESTRD.
BREENDR.
RODNEY RAY BLVD.
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8425 West Road, Houston www.friendsofdownsyndrome.org
Friends of Down Syndrome oers cooking courses for adults with Down syndrome.
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