Down Syndrome Network of Onslow & Carteret Counties (DSNOCC)

08/30/2025

🌟 Team Spotlight: Ella’s Empire! 🌟

For 11 years, Ella’s Empire has been walking strong in the DSNOCC Buddy Walk®! 💙

Tiffany Flint and her team love being part of DSNOCC because it means getting to know other families and sharing stories about their amazing loved ones. 💬✨

Their “why”?
👉 “We walk and advocate to raise awareness for Down syndrome. We advocate every day to show the world just how capable and worthy people with Down syndrome truly are—and that the world is so much better because they are in it!” 🌍💙

Let’s celebrate Ella’s Empire and all they’ve done to shine a light on inclusion, awareness, and love! 💫

08/27/2025

🌟🌟🌟 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🌟🌟🌟

💥 Your team could WIN a $100 VISA gift card just for registering for Buddy Walk! 💥

Here’s the deal:
📅 Register & create your fundraising page between Aug 23 – Sept 6
💙 You’ll automatically be entered into the drawing!

👟 Rally your friends.
📢 Spread the word.
🎉 Join the celebration of inclusion!

👉 Don’t wait—register your team TODAY and you could walk away a WINNER!

🔗 https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=142588

08/27/2025

🌟 Team Spotlight: Shine with Via! 🌟

We are so excited to welcome Shine with Via to their very first DSNOCC Buddy Walk®! 💛💙 Although new to our local walk, this team has proudly participated with the Down Syndrome Network of Greater Charlotte as well as in Florida—and now they’re bringing their light to our community! ✨

Crystal Libby and her team love the encouragement and resources that DSNOCC provides, helping families feel supported and empowered. 💪

Their “why”?
👉 “Our desire is that the importance of inclusion spills over and is understood in and around our community. Through that understanding, it is our hope that more opportunities would arise for our children to be included and have the opportunity to excel and succeed in all that they do.” 🌍💙

Let’s give Shine with Via a warm DSNOCC welcome as they join us in walking for inclusion, awareness, and love! 🎉

08/26/2025

📚✏️ The new school year is here! ✏️📚

Wishing all of our friends and families a smooth start, successful IEP meetings, and an amazing year ahead—whether you’re in public, private, charter, or homeschool! 💙💛

📸 Drop those FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL pictures in the comments—we LOVE seeing all the bright smiles and fresh starts!

08/24/2025

🚨 FLASH TEAM INCENTIVE! 🚨

Want a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card? 💳✨

Here’s how ⬇️
✅ Register your Buddy Walk team
✅ Create your fundraising page
📅 Do it between August 24th – September 6th

That’s it—you’ll be entered to WIN! 🎉

👉 Don’t wait—get your team signed up and share your page today!
💙💛 Together we’re walking for awareness, advocacy, and inclusion.

🔗 https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=142588

08/23/2025

Thank you Miladas!! We hope to see you at the Buddy Walk! 🌈

What a fun day we are having downtown! 🤩

Meet our new friend, Ella! She was so excited to shop, but even more so for a gift to raffle off for the 14th annual Buddy Walk Down Syndrome Network of Onslow & Carteret Counties (DSNOCC) October 25th 9-12! 💕🙌🏻🚶‍♀️

08/23/2025

🌟 Team Spotlight: Team Dominic! 🌟

For 9 years, Team Dominic has been proudly walking in the DSNOCC Buddy Walk®! 💙💛

Megan Hernandez and her team love how the Buddy Walk brings families together—“coming together as a community, as a village.” 🫶

Their “why”?
👉 “We walk in the hopes that we can do our part to show Dominic that he deserves his place in this world just like everyone else! We hope to help Dominic learn that he can do anything he sets his mind to, regardless of whatever limitations society tries to place on him.” 💪💙

Let’s cheer on Team Dominic for their incredible dedication, love, and advocacy! 🎉

08/23/2025

🌟🌟🌟 WALK OF FAME ALERT! 🌟🌟🌟
⭐️TOGETHER WE SHINE BRIGHTER⭐️

It’s time to celebrate our incredible loved ones in the most fabulous way — with their very own Walk of Fame Poster at this year’s Buddy Walk! 💙💛

📸 What we need from YOU:

➡️ 2 photos of your loved one
➡️ The following info:
• Name
• Age
• I love: ______
• I go to school/work at: ______

📬 Email everything to:
📧 president@dsnocc.org

⏳ DEADLINE: September 15th – no exceptions!

Let’s fill the field with STARS and show the world how bright our community SHINES! 🌈✨

08/23/2025

Join us for Ages & Stages: Introduction to College Options for Students with Down Syndrome hosted by Stephanie Smith Lee and Cate Weir!

Wednesday, Sept. 24 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST

Higher education opportunities for students with intellectual disability have greatly expanded over the past 20 years as a result of advocacy and improvements to the Higher Education Act. In this interactive session, experts will provide an "intro" to inclusive higher education, sharing information about the over 300 college programs for students with intellectual disability, how to find the right fit, how to apply for financial aid and other funding, and how to prepare in K-12. Think College staff will describe how to use their database of college programs and the positive outcomes from the evaluation of federally-funded model programs. Presenters will explain how to find opportunities to get involved at the local level through state and regional alliances. Helpful resources will be provided and the workshop will include time for discussion and questions and answers. Speakers - Stephanie Smith Lee is the Policy & Advocacy Co-Director for the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) and Cate Weir, MEd, is the coordinator of the Think College National Coordinating Center, funded by the US Dept of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education.

Register now! > https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8178441715100367967

08/20/2025

💙 A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the parents, caregivers, and educators who joined our first Meet & Greet with DSNOCC’s new Inclusion Specialist! 💛
Your participation, thoughtful questions, and shared experiences reminded us why community matters. We covered IDEA basics, practical advocacy tools, and ways to collaborate with schools so our kids can learn, belong, and thrive.

👉 Tell us: What was most helpful?
What topics should we cover next?

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’upcoming school year you can always reach out to us by email: president@dsnocc.org.

Make sure you’re following DSNOCC for upcoming webinars and resources. Together, we’re turning knowledge into action. 🌟

08/17/2025

📚✏️ Back to School with DSNOCC! ✏️📚

We’re kicking off the school year with something BIG—our very first webinar with DSNOCC’s new Inclusion Specialist! 🌟

✅ Meet & Greet with our Inclusion Specialist
✅ Learn your child’s rights under IDEA
✅ Gain tools to advocate with confidence

👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who should attend? Parents, caregivers, and educators—this is for YOU!

🗓 Date: August 18th
🕖 Time: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

⭐️ To attend, please fill out this quick form: https://tr.ee/B7wzzA
📧 Then, check your email on August 18th for the link to join!

Don’t miss this chance to start the school year empowered and informed! 💙💛