Co-founder Gina Marie took over as executive director of Friends of Down Syndrome early this year after creating the nonprofit with Rosa Rocha in 2014.

“[Rocha] was very passionate about making a difference for adults with Down syndrome, and her vision is what really brought us to where we are today,” Marie said. “Sadly, Rosa passed away, and her legacy definitely lives on in everything we do here with her son, who has Down syndrome, and her husband who are still very active in our program.”

About the program

Located on West Road, Friends of Down Syndrome aims to provide life skills, creative expression and social connections for adults with Down syndrome.

“We wanted to create a place where [adults with Down syndrome] could continue developing life skills, express themselves and feel like a part of the community,” Marie said. “And so for us, it was just about filling the gap and ensuring that these incredible individuals had a space where they could shine.”


The nonprofit is partially funded by the program's tuition rate of $42 a day, which only covers 53% of expenses, Marie said. The other portion is funded by fundraising efforts and donations.

With a capacity of 60 individuals, Friends of Down Syndrome serves 55 adults with Down syndrome as of Jan. 15.
Friends of Down Syndrome offers cooking courses for adults with down syndrome. (Courtesy Friends of Down Syndrome)
Friends of Down Syndrome offers cooking courses for adults with down syndrome. (Courtesy Friends of Down Syndrome)
The specifics

Through the nonprofit’s day habilitation program, Friends of Down Syndrome creates opportunities for participants to expand their skills with activities such as cooking, crafting and education lessons.

“It's all about giving them a sense of independence and confidence and really just a place where they feel valued and supported as individuals,” Marie said.


Marie said the nonprofit works to advocate for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to be provided with the rights and benefits needed.

“There's currently about a 13-year waiting list for people in the IDD community to get benefits through the state of Texas," Marie said. “Those benefits cover much-needed therapies and admission to our program. And so we are just talking with our people in office and trying to get that to change.”
Friends of Down Syndrome opened on January 2023. (Courtesy Friends of Down Syndrome)
Friends of Down Syndrome relocated to Cy-Fair in January 2023. (Courtesy Friends of Down Syndrome)
Marie said Friends of Down Syndrome invites the community to its upcoming fundraising event, Cinderella's Boots & Bling Ball, a Western-themed prom featuring dinner, dancing and live music held on March 29.

“Eventually, our goal is to put up housing for individuals that would be similar to assisted and independent living,” Marie said. “Some individuals don't really have family that they can go to once their parents pass, and so they have no choice but to go into a state home group. We would love to, instead, have them live and learn here.”