BY GRACE WAHLE
PALS Congratulations Project Associate
2020 brought challenges and uncertainty, affecting many communities around the world. Still, led by our belief in the power of hope, joy, and welcome, we continued to greet new families of children with Down syndrome with the same, simple message – “Congratulations” – handwritten by individuals with Down syndrome and delivered through standard mail.
In the past year, we sent 494 letters, reaching all 50 U.S. states and 47 countries. Since the founding of the Congratulations Project in 2013, we have expanded our reach, welcoming more than 1,400 families into our community.
Letters Sent Per Year
To continue our mission and accelerate our momentum, we launched the following new initiatives in the past year:
Translated letters to multiple languages with the help of volunteers in the PALS community
Interpreted a Congratulations Project letter in this American Sign Language Video
Partnered with the organization Joy 21 to bring 100 Congratulations Project books into hospitals in Northern Ireland.
Created a new virtual training module for volunteers to understand the mission of PALS within the context of disability in society, and why the Congratulations Project is a core piece of this mission.
Celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness Month by creating a video compilation from families in the PALS community to share with new families. These words were needed now more than ever.
Congratulations Project letters are changing attitudes and perspectives about Down syndrome, providing an opportunity to learn about the diagnosis and recognize the value of every person.
Thank you for congratulating us on our bundle of joy. We loved the handwritten letter we received while we were pregnant. We still have her letter on our refrigerator and look at her smiling face every day. It really felt good reading the word, "Congratulations.”
– Congratulations Project Letter Recipient
In 2021, our mission will continue by writing letters during spring and summer programs, sharing hope and joy across the globe. We are inspiring a more inclusive world of belonging through the Congratulations Project and we hope you join us. If you hear of a new family receiving the Down syndrome diagnosis, visit our website to request a letter on their behalf.
