Celebrate Down Syndrome: About Us

About Us

Our History

Our group has a proud legacy. We started as a small parent group that met once a month to share ideas and stories. We quickly became known as the Down Syndrome Support Group of Lancaster. Our second annual Buddy Walk was so successful that we realized the need to become a non-profit organization. In February of 2005 we incorporated as The Down Syndrome Support Group of the Susquehanna Valley, Inc. and were excited to receive our 501(c)(3) status. In 2009 we decided to officially change the name of our group to better reflect where our future lies. As of November 2009 we are now Celebrate Down Syndrome, Inc. We are now in the business of CELEBRATING all the wonderful accomplishments of each and every individual with Down syndrome within our communities. We remain, as ever, dedicated to promoting the rights, dignity, and potential of all individuals with Down syndrome through advocacy, education, public awareness and support.

Following is a list of our current officers and Board of Directors. Please feel to contact any one of them for information through our email contact form.

• President – Shelby Fryberger
• Media Specialist – Kelsey Weik
• Communications - Holly Kominsky
• Treasurer – Kim Roe

Board of Directors and Term End Year

Shelby Fryberger - Parent - 2014

Kim Roe - Parent - 2014

Holly Kominsky - Parent - 2014

Linda Lay - Parent - 2013

Erica Burch - Parent - 2014

Kelsey Weik - Community Member - 2014

Adam Barkafski - Community Member - 2013

Neil Rhen - Community Member - 2013

2013- 2016 Strategic Plan

Mission
Our mission is to connect with families to provide information, to give support and to help them gain inner strength so they may be their own best resource. Celebrate Down Syndrome, Inc. seeks to provide education and information in the hope of fostering a fully inclusive community for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Priorities

• Over the next three years, proactively recruit and retain diverse board members, with the goal of engaging their strengths, experience, and resources to move our fundraising, core programs, and committee efforts forward.
• Grow fundraising efforts by strengthening and expanding our annual 3-2-1 GO! Walk and our Dress Down for Down Syndrome (DDFDS) program, as well as pursing grants to enhance and establish new programs.
• Over the next three years establish a robust First Call program for the benefit of new and expectant families and a Family to Family network to provide support and connections while sustaining and expanding our educators outreach.

Goals

• Give support to family members.
• Foster friendship and connect with other families.
• Establish a place for families to go where they will be heard and understood.
• Bring awareness to our community and society.
• Allow time to interact, express feelings, concerns and/or doubts.
• Provide assurance and information about Down syndrome and related issues.
• Ask questions and find answers.