On January 6, 2014, Friends of Down Syndrome opened the doors to Houston's Down Syndrome Academy to our first 17 students. Since then, we have increased enrollment to 70 full time students. We are supported by 12 amazing teachers and aids. And we recently expanded our facilities by 2,500 square feet. 

We created the Academy to address a tremendous need for additional learning programs for young adults with Down syndrome. We help them improve their literacy, life skills, job training and job placement. To accomplish this, the Academy has detailed programs taught by certified and special educational experienced teachers and supported by aides in the areas of Wellness, Academic and Vocation.

As successful as our past efforts have been, we have a very long way to go to meet the needs of this community. There are estimates that there are between 5,000 and 8,000 individuals in the Houston Area with Down syndrome whose needs are waiting to be met. It will take a tremendous amount of time, effort and financial support from a much broader family of supporters to meet this need.

The Down Syndrome Academy has been an enormous success. Our students show significant progress towards their academic goals, improve speech, and have notable differences in self-esteem, weight-loss and enhanced social skills. We have a growing waiting list, which continues to validate the need for the Down Syndrome Academy. 

Recognizing the need to expand the Academy and to continue to support the programs and services we offer to a growing population; the Friends of Down syndrome will be opening a new Down Syndrome Campus in 2019. When the campus is opened we will be able to support over 220 students and offer numerous additional courses. All this, in addition to the many programs and services that support families, provide awareness, advocacy, outreach, conferences and socials.

As we move forward with Realizing the Dream – our $2.6 million campaign to acquire a permanent home for the Down Syndrome Academy, we ask that you consider becoming involved. Your support will not only be a tremendous investment in the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, it will help to create a better community for us all. With warmest regards, 

Rosa Rocha   President  and Founder - Friends of Down Syndrome

P.S. To learn more about the Academy and how you can help, or to make a direct donation, visit friendsofdownsyndrome.org/donate.         

  NEW Campus 2019: Buy a Brick to Build Our Home

In support of the Capital Campaign to establish our new campus, we are selling commemorative personalized brick pavers. We invite you to help us build our future home. Inscriptions may include family names, organization/company names, memorial messages, birthdays or anniversaries. 

Brick Options

Payment Plans

Buy a Brick Order Form

Step 1: Choose Brick Size                          r 12x12          r 8x8              r 4x8    TOTAL $ _____________ 

Step 2: Choose Payment Plan        r 1 payment r 4 quarterly r 12 monthly r 24 monthly

Step 3: Create Brick Inscription Below

Step 4: Choose Payment Type

Step 5: Return Order Form and payment to: Friends of Down Syndrome, Capital Campaign, 5200 Mitchelldale, D4, Houston, Texas 77092.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Billing Address ________________________________________________________________________________ 

Email _______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Phone ______________________________________________________________________________________ 

Payment Type                    r Cash r Check No. _________ r Credit Card

Card Number _____________________________________________ Exp. Date _____________ CVV ___________ 

Card Holder __________________________________________________________________________________ 

Signature ____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Inscription: Write 20 characters per line, max. Spaces, number, letters, and punctuation count as characters.

___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___  line 1

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