What We Do
We believe that every child has the right to be accepted in their community and have similar opportunities as that of their peers. Our mission is to support, connect and provide resources and opportunities for people with DS and their families in Southeastern North Carolina. By raising awareness and educating our community we help others include and clearly see the value of people with Down syndrome.
We provide welcome bags to families whose child has a new diagnosis of Down syndrome (we deliver bags to new parents once they have been identified); we have a parent support group to provide parent trainings, support to one another, mommy’s night out and other activities; we have a Next Chapter Book Club that we sponsor for teens and young adults that meets in Brunswick County; we have quarterly family get togethers (i.e. 3/21 World Down Syndrome Day event, End of Year Celebration, Family Picnic); our High Hopes, Emerson High Heart Fund when a child has been identified as requiring a hospital stay due to congenital heart defect or heart surgery we get them a VISA gift card to help offset ancillary expenses associated with the hospital stay. All open-heart surgeries are done out of our area.; Our newest program, iCan Swim had to move the start date to next year due to COVID-19. iCan Swim is an adapted learn to swim program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, we will serve 30 individuals next year with this program. All in person events have been made virtual due to COVID-19. The health and well being of all of our members is of utmost importance to us.
