NDSC News

Mission Moment 
with Executive Director David Tolleson

This month marks a year since we entered lockdown. While it’s too early to declare victory over the virus, as safe, effective vaccines are distributed, brighter days are in sight. Looking back, I’m proud of our work over the last year. NDSC’s Programs and Convention staff produced high-quality virtual educational and social programming in English and Spanish. We have hosted three Town Hall meetings on race relations in our community, most recently to discuss how both NDSC and our local and regional affiliates can do a better job of engaging families who haven’t traditionally felt welcome in our organizations.

Mission Moment

Change is in the air as we begin a new year! The long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines are finally being distributed – albeit not as fast as we’d like – offering the hope of future hugs, joyful reunions, and a world getting back to work. Along with our valued national partners, NDSC is working on comprehensive, updated COVID-19 information for you and your family. In the meantime, because so many of you are calling with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, we have prioritized the development of a COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ sheet. Look for it to release early next week.

Mission Moment
with Executive Director David Tolleson

I’ve never been so glad to see a year end! 2020 has been challenging for all of us, but now a new year is just a couple of weeks away, bringing hope and promise. At the NDSC, we continue to develop and execute programs and resources that meet the changing needs of families like yours. Early in the new year, we will launch our Ages & Stages learning programs with both free and premium options to serve everyone, wherever they are. Soon after, we will host the third discussion on race relations centering on how NDSC and our affiliates can work together to better engage all families in our community.

 Mission Moment

What a great time we had at our inaugural Soiree of Stars gala! It was a wonderful evening, made all the more impactful by the self-advocates who participated. I’m glad that we had the chance to share stories about our work and am especially grateful for those of you who chose to support NDSC’s work with a generous gift. You are appreciated, and you and your family are the reason we do what we do…and are able to do what we do. Thank you for giving! If you missed our virtual gala, you can watch a recording of the event by clicking below.

We hope you will join us as Tim Tebow, Dale Murphy, Coach Dabo Swinney, Ludacris, Rita Harvey, and Neil Berg welcome you to the NDSC Soiree of Stars Virtual Gala.  This event will honor the individuals, organizations, corporations, and 3 amazing Everyday Heroes, self-advocates who have worked in essential positions through the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will also be joined by Felicia Patti from the Netflix hit show Away the cast of Born This Way as we catch up on all that they have been doing in 2020.

The National Down Syndrome Congress Soiree of Stars Gala Benefit Committee is proud to invite you to join us on October 22, 2020,  for our inaugural Soiree of Stars Virtual Gala. The Gala will stream live as we will bring together thousands of guests to shine the light on individuals, organizations, and corporations, making a difference in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome.

NDSC is the country’s oldest and largest national organization serving people with Down syndrome. For more than four decades, NDSC has worked tirelessly to foster networks of local and regional groups across the country and globe to connect with and embrace people with Down syndrome, their families, friends, and the professionals who support them. Recent world and national events have pushed us to work harder than ever before.