Abilities over Disabilities

Angie Pool, Kate Van Kampen,

Janeth Pineda, & Janna Dunk
Overview Of Issue
Once a child is born with Down Syndrome, developmental deficiencies and delay
become inevitable. Both the child and the child’s family must learn to live with and manage the
effects of this genetic disorder. Through all the scientific aspects of this disease, it is important to
remember that made up from each and every chromosome, is a child. In fact, 6.2% of children in
America between the ages of five and 15 live with a disability (“Statistics”). A disability does not
define a child, and here at Footsteps of Hope, we believe in recognizing the child before any
disability they may have. Data from the World Health Organization showed in a 2018 study that
15% of the world’s population lives with a disability, making people with disabilities the largest
minority group in the world (Thampoe and Arroyo). On a less global scale, one in five
Americans lives with a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability (“Statistics”). Children with
disabilities deserve equal opportunities to live a life just as any child does, and at Footsteps of
Hope, a people first language is the only language we speak.

Mission Statement & Philosophy

Getting rid of limitations by providing a safe environment to be creative and active.
Our organization believes in including children with special needs in fun activities. We
want to build a relationship with each child and have them feel safe and involved without
restrictions. Kids with disabilities might often be pushed away from sports and arts, because they
need more supervision, we want to provide that. We want to allow them to be their creative
selves and have the right to express themselves. We want them to be able to impress others that
doubted their gifts and arts by providing material and inspiration. Every kid deserves to express
themselves as best as they can. We want to contribute to that same cause, because we are able to
do so, we should go the extra mile and help those who can’t.

Action Plan
We are footsteps of hope and our goal is to get rid of limitations by providing a safe
environment to be creative and active for children with intellectual disabilities. As we are just
starting out our immediate plan is to get up and make a name for ourselves as a company. We are
also striving to give the parents of intellectually disabled kids a legitimate option when looking
for a place to send their kids for a good time as well as reliable care taking. As footsteps of hope
grows and develops we would ultimately like to make a stable and safe place for children with
intellectual disabilities to come and have a good time while at the same time bringing awareness.
Right now this community is in need of a program like ours that provides a positive and uplifting
place that brings awareness to something as important as intellectual disabilities. We utilize our
social media by both making a name for ourselves as a company and what we can do for
children, also to create awareness for the intellectually disabled children. What is different about
footsteps of hope in comparison to other similar companies is that our program is specifically
directed towards children. We also limit the number of kids per event so there is more connection
between kids as well as one on one time with the volunteers. We even offer different stations
such as art, sports, reading/ puzzles so that every kid feels included in their interests. Companies
such as Injoy and Legacy of hope strive for the same goal as us to uplift the intellectually
disabled community. However while these companies are doing amazing things, injoy focuses on
the adults and had a wide spectrum of disabilities that they work with while we focus on a more
specific group of people as to be more intentional about what we do in our time with them.
Legacy of hope is also a great option but financially unrealistic. Pony rides and fancy traveling
sounds attractive but the quality time spent with the children in the atmosphere we offer is way
more valued.

Financial Needs
Here at footsteps of hope we believe it’s important to have enough supplies inorder to
give children the opportunity to express their creativity and reach their full potentential. In order
to obtian this goal we must raise $642.82 in fundraising a month. This money will go towards the
different activities the chrildren will be participating in, such as the arts, athletics, and story time.
We will be providing snack time while children express themselves and simply have fun. We
would greatly appreciate you downate to Foot Steps of Hope in helping us take one more step to
making the change.
Monthly (12 days)

Art Supplies
crayola markers ($25.00)
paint ($33.38)
paint brushes ($19.98)
paper ($33.00)
crayons ($5.60)
Other supplies
table cloth ($6.00)
big round table ($49. 59)
Hand sanitizer ($16.00)

Snack time
Snack($196.08)
water ($200.40)

Sports
soccer balls ($30.00)
hoolahoop ($32.00)
jump rope($11.34)
pugg goals ($15.90)
chalk ($42.45)
Mental stimulation
books $100(feel free to donate books as well)
puzzles ($51.90)

Total: $642.84 per month