Where 2021 has brought PALS!

BY GRACE WAHLE

PALS Communications Associate

What a year 2021 has been! From starting the year off with the one-of-a-kind Escape from Polar Palace event at PALS to finishing the year with our virtual New Year’s Eve party, we have found new and creative ways to gather as a community in an ever-changing year.

We are so appreciative of the PALS Family’s support of our mission to inspire a world of belonging and driving us towards reaching our 2025 strategic plan.

As we reflect on 2021, we remain committed to inspiring a world of belonging as we brought the PALS magic to our community in a time when it was needed most.

  • We launched The PALS Promise to create more inclusive programming and invited every person in the community to make this promise.  

  • More than 900 people participated in 13 programs across the country for PALS Summer 2021, with a program quality score overall of 4.82 out of 5. 

  • We hosted our first-ever PALS Los Angeles and proved we are most triumphant when we are intentional about our programs. 

  • We piloted new intervention strategies at all summer programs to ensure each participant always feels supported and cultivate a space where everyone can be fully themselves. 

  • We established a new Self Advocate Affinity Group to elevate the voices of our participants with Down syndrome and discuss their shared experiences, triumphs and challenges.  

  • The Congratulations Project continued to reach new families with a baby with Down syndrome by sending letters of hope, joy, and welcome. We also witnessed the impact of the initiative at PALS. 

  • We created 10 partnerships for The Congratulations Project with local hospitals, Down syndrome Associations, and doctors offices.

  • We deepened our commitment to Diversity and inclusion as a central element of our mission; PALS Staff discussed monthly topics shared in our blog. 

  • PALS Staff took major steps towards attaining ACA (American Camp Association) accreditation. 

  • We brought 45 directors together to plan and execute PALS Summer 2021 programs. 

  • We hosted quarterly All PALS Zoom calls for our community to come together and have fun throughout the year! 

2021 brought lots of excitement and growth to PALS. We can’t wait to launch into the New Year with week-long, in-person programs across the country in Summer 2022. To learn more details, click here.