FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 15, 2010

CONTACT:     Thaiia Reynolds, 202-722-2364, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or

Lynn Anne Miller, 301-986-1413, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S CENTER RAISES THE BAR FOR ITS “RESPITALITY” PROGRAM

“52 in 52” Program Aims to Serve One DC Area Family Each Weekend of the Year 

WASHINGTON, DC.—At a time when many nonprofits are scaling back fundraising goals, National Children’s Center (NCC), a leading provider of services for children and adults with development disabilities in Washington, DC and Maryland, has announced plans to double the number of families it serves through its Greater DC Respitality Program. “Respitality” is a brief respite from the demands of caring for a loved one with special needs.

 “Many caregivers of people with autism, Down’s Syndrome, and other developmental disabilities never get a night off,” said NCC CEO Philip Campbell.  “They often feel isolated, don’t take time for themselves, and have high stress levels.  Our Greater DC Respitality Program provides these caregivers with some much-needed pampering.” 

Through Greater DC Respitality, families receive respitality packages that include a nice meal, entertainment, and an overnight hotel stay.  Most importantly, the program pays for the expense of a caregiver of the family’s choosing so that family members can recharge, relax, and rest knowing that their loved one is in good hands.   

“I could use a couple of days rest after these many years. If only people knew what taking a break could do for you,” said Arlette K., a Maryland mother of a son with autism and a past respitality package recipient.  “I feel rested and I came back home energized.”

The Respitality Program’s ambitious new “52 in 52” goal of providing a respitality package to one family each week of the year was unveiled in April. Last year, the program served 28 Washington, D.C. area families.  Progress toward the goal of doubling the number of D.C. metro families served will be celebrated at NCC’s Third Annual Respitality Reception on June 16th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City Club of Washington.  The reception will honor the families who have benefited from the respitality packages, as well as the local business leaders whose donations of goods and services make the program possible. 

“As part of Marriott’s focus of embracing global diversity and inclusion, we advocate for people with disabilities and recognize the challenges and concerns of those who take care of loved ones with disabilities,” said Sami Abuzeid of Marriott International. “For many years, our hotels have worked with community-based disability organizations and high schools to introduce and help train people with disabilities for employment in our industry.” 

More than 100 guests are expected to attend the Third Annual Respitality Reception.  Among them will be leaders of the organizations that are NCC’s partners in the Greater DC Respitality Consortium, including the Arc of Montgomery County; the Arc of Prince George’s County; the Arc of the District of Columbia; the Arc of Northern Virginia; Sulam, a Jewish special education agency in Montgomery County, Maryland; and United Cerebral Palsy of Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.

“52 in 52” Greater DC Respitality Program Sponsors and Supporters*

Family Friend Sponsor

Marriott International Inc.

Family Champion Sponsor

4GreenPs

Heritage Investors Management Corp.

The General Design Company

Family Patron Sponsor

Cindy and Mark Aron

BB&T

Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman, CPAs

Professional Benefits Solutions Inc.

Rhoda & Gilbert Smith

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP Charitable Trust

Family Sponsor

Birchwood Janitorial

Marrakesh Restaurant

Thatcher Law Firm

The HSC Foundation

Supporters

A. Cleaning Service

AFLAC

Capitol Office Solutions

D&D Tire Company

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

Grand Hyatt Washington

Hilton Washington

HSC Home Care

IHOP Restaurants

Steven A. Loewy, P.A.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant

Carol Politi

Joe Roche

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Mary Sesso

Allen Shapiro

Steve Smits

Lisabeth Sodee

The Studio Theater

The Woolly Mammoth Theater

*As of June 15, 2010

If you would like to make a donation to Greater DC Respitality, please contact Thaiia Reynolds at 202-722-2364 or visit http://52in52.eventbrite.com.

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Founded 50 years ago, National Children's Center, Inc. (NCC) is a recognized leader in providing comprehensive and innovative services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in the District of Columbia and Maryland.  Its mission is to provide a lifetime of opportunities for people in our community with developmental disabilities to live full, meaningful and productive lives.  NCC's community-based services include early intervention, schools, employment, adult day and residential programs. These quality, personalized, lifespan services benefit more than 500 infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities every day. For more information, visit http://www.nccinc.org/