Ready for College?

Are you thinking about college? Below are a few resources that have been put together by the National Down Syndrome Congress to help you learn what your options are.

College options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

 http://www.thinkcollege.net/

Information about standardized testing for college:

 http://www.fairtest.org/

A few sources for college loans for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/CTPProgramList.jsp

http://www.rubysrainbow.org/index.html

http://www.ndss.org/Self-Advocates/ONeill-Tabani-Enrichment-Fund/

Via West Gives Thanks During Joyful Respite Session

Via West had its third respite session of the season this past weekend, which was Thanksgiving themed.  Participants had a chance to experience all aspects of Thanksgiving, starting with shopping for a traditional dinner.  Our "Via West Market", complete with baskets and food prices, allowed our participants to gather and pay for all the components for the dinner.

Later in the weekend, using a traditional recipe that incorporated fresh herbs, our participants made the stuffing for dinner and even took turns stuffing the turkey!  Participants chopped, sauteed, and measured ingredients safely and efficiently.  Everyone also had a chance to bake mini-pumpkin loaves which were warm and delicious. To top it all off, everyone got to take home a cookbook and apron as a memento!

Finally the time came for the feast, and everyone's hard work was apparent in the beautiful decorations, table settings, and food.  Everyone participated in the decoration and set up of the banquet tables, and to make a good evening great, all participants shared with the group what they were most thankful for.

It was such a wonderful weekend! Check out all the pictures on our Facebook Page!

FREE Weekend Sessions Available Through Grant from Autism Speaks!!!!!

Big news!!! Thanks to a grant from Autism Speaks, we are able to send 26 autistic participants to the Via West Campus this fall FOR FREE!!!!

Too good to be true?? Nope! If you know a participant diagnosed with Autism and would otherwise not able to afford a session at Via West Campus, then send them to our website!  All you have to do is fill out our financial application and send it in to Molly Young at myoung@viaservices.org with a note that you are interested in the Autism Speaks Campership.  For more information about our Fall and Spring schedule, please check our website at www.viaservices.org.

See you soon at Via West Campus!!