Mission
The mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Houston is to provide lifelong education, support, and resources to individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the communities they live within.
Ruling year
1974
Executive Director
Glenn Urbach
Main address
7115 W. Tidwell Rd Bldg K, Suite 106
Houston, TX 77092 USA
Formerly known as
Parents of Children with Down Syndrome
EIN
23-7203655
NTEE code
Human Service Organizations (P20)
Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (P01)
Services to Promote the Independence of Specific Populations (P80)
IRS filing requirement
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Down Syndrome Association of Houston aims to increase the value placed on individuals with Down syndrome within the Greater Houston Area, increase the rates in which these same individuals are included, and empower them to realize their personal goals and aspirations. This vision comes from the fact that individuals with Down syndrome are underrepresented in the workforce and have fewer chances to be included with their non-disabled peers in educational and recreational activities. Additionally, a history of low expectations for individuals with Down syndrome has led many to believe that they are incapable of achieving personal goals even though research says differently.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Education for Life
The Education for Life Day Program nurtures lifelong learning in adults with Down syndrome through a flexible, person-centered curriculum-based program. Our curriculum, Meaningful Day, creates engaging activities and opportunities for program participants by: providing opportunities to actively participate in and integrate into the community, providing continued learning opportunities, encouraging self-advocacy, and fostering self-sufficiency through participant-centered activities. Additionally the Education for Life program offers after hours activities including Bloom Fitness cycle, dance, and weightlifting classes, a pantomime troupe that performs at events across Houston, and a theater arts program designed specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities. Participants also have the opportunity to apply and train for DSAH internships. Contact us for more information.
"Congratulations!" Program
The purpose of the “Congratulations!” Program is to congratulate parents of newborn babies with Down syndrome. In a world where others often express sorrow for the birth of a child with Down syndrome, we want to say, with pride, reassurance, and passion, “Congratulations!” Additionally, the "Congratulations!" Program provides ongoing support, information, and referrals to parents throughout the first year of their child's life. The program culminates each each with a new member party. This event brings all of the parents of new babies with Ds together to celebrate the value of their little one's lives.
Coffee and Confidence
Come for the (Starbucks) coffee and leave with confidence. This community group program provides support to families who have a child under the age of three with Ds (this includes families with a prenatal diagnosis). Each session is hosted by a seasoned parent who has navigated the road to raising a child with Ds. Join us at our next session and leave ready to take on the world!
Empowerment through Education Workshop Series
These workshops are meant to provide individuals with Ds, their family members, and the community that serves them access to high-quality, relevant information in the form of short 1-2 hour presentations. Topics vary widely, but focus on empowering our stakeholders to value and include individuals with Ds more. Past sessions have included topics on IEP support, potty training, long-term planning, and technology supports.
Community Groups
Community groups are the heart of our organization. They provide local support, resources, and events for individuals with Ds and their families. In a city as large as Houston, bringing resources to parents is instrumental in meeting our mission and vision.
Community Support
DSAH is proud to offer our expertise and services to schools, companies, and other nonprofit organizations. If we could help improve your understanding of intellectual disabilities, increase your inclusion rates, or provide any Down syndrome related support, please call us today!
Resource Center
As a mission-driven nonprofit, we pride ourselves on being able to provide information and referrals to any individual with Ds, their family members, and the community members that support them. If you have a question related to Down syndrome, please call our office. Staff and volunteers are available to support you year around.
Skill Builders
Skill Builders are activities designed to empower individuals with Down syndrome by building self-confidence and self-determination skills. Currently we offer Adapted Ballet in collaboration with the Houston Ballet and Special Olympics Panther Pack Bowling. New programs will be announced through our newsletter subscription, so join today.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Down Syndrome Association of Houston aims to create a Greater Houston community where individuals with Down syndrome are valued for their unique talents and abilities, are included in education, work, and recreational activities, and are encouraged to realize their personal goals and aspirations.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Down Syndrome Association of Houston will provide individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community members they live and work with the opportunity to participate in inclusive and reverse-inclusive community events, attend high-quality, needs-based learning sessions, and provide free information and referral support.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Down Syndrome Association of Houston operates under a Board of Directors selected because of their career skill-sets and passion for serving individuals with special needs. The staff is led by a long-time special needs advocate and master of public administration. As executive director Kim Torres has exponentially increased the organization's network of community supports within her first year of service. With Kim comes a staff built on the ideal that one person can change the world. This highly passionate staff is also highly skilled. Staff members contain undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students focused on work in social services, education, and nonprofit management. Staff regularly attended continuing education courses.
The organization also boasts a 5,000 square foot resource center that houses the administrative offices and Education for Life Day Program for adults with Down syndrome. The facility is equipped with technology and educational resources.
Through a diverse income structure that includes donations, fundraising events, grants, program fees, and medicaid waiver payments, the Down Syndrome Association of Houston is financially capable of realizing it goals as well.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
As of January 2020, DSAH is in the first month of a new three year strategic plan. This comes after rewording the mission and vision statements in Fall 2019. While our organization is continuing to do the same life-changing work that it has always done, the data to prove this based on the new plan is not available yet. We hope to have preliminary data to share by mid to late 2020. We will continue to outreach and support or stakeholders.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Down Syndrome Association of Houston
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Mr. Jack Bates
DXP Enterprises, Inc.
Term: 2018 - 2021
Belinda Garza-Gaddis
TUCKER, VAUGHAN, GARDNER, BARNES & GARCIA, P.C.
Jack Bates
DXP Enterprises, INc.
Tommie Garcia
DXP Enterprises, INc.
Martin Meredith
Retired
Brenda Hejnal
Retired
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
No data
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
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