Recognizing Our Diverse Community!

• Down Syndrome Awareness Month is celebrated in October to raise awareness of people with Down syndrome and their abilities, and to promote their inclusion in the community. The month was first designated in the 1980s by the National Down Syndrome Society. You can learn about Down Syndrome HERE. 

• National Adoption Week is an annual event that takes place from October 20th–26th and celebrates adoption and the families it creates. The week aims to raise awareness about the need for more adoptive families, especially for children in foster homes. It aims to educate the public about the adoption process and correct misconceptions, highlight the positive impact of adoption on individuals and communities, showcase the diversity of adoptive families, share inspiring stories, and emphasize the identity of adopted children. You can learn more about this HERE. 

• Monday, October 20th is Diwali. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". It's a major religious holiday in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and is also observed by some Buddhists. The name Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, which means "row of lights". You can learn more about this HERE.