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/

Join Us June 16^th at the City Club of Washington for the 3^rd Annual Greater DC Respitality Reception.

Mark your calendars and join us as we honor area family caregivers of developmentally disabled adults and children and recognize the donors who make the Respitality program possible. Buy your ticket or make a donation now to support the program and NCC’s vision to provide “52 in 52” – 52 weekends for 52 recipients in 2010.

Your donation and ticket purchase will help Greater DC Respitality provide caregivers with “pampered nights out” to help them relax, recharge, and refocus. Caregivers receive lodging in a local hotel, complimentary meals and extras such as spa treatments or entertainment tickets. Additionally, a stipend covers the cost of substitute care for the loved one with a disability by a person chosen and hired by the caregiver.

NCC hosted a private reception in honor of Dr. Harold E. Robles, President Emeritus of the Albert Schweitzer Institute for the Humanities and European founder of the Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI), of the Netherlands. Dr. Robles was joined by his American partner in establishing MKI, Dr. Peter Bittel, CEO of Futures HealthCore. In attendance were NCC’s Senior Leadership Team, Board members and International Learning Exchange in Professional Youthwork (ILEX) fellows.

Washington, DC - National Children's Center, Inc. (NCC) launched its new Greater DC Respitality program benefiting Washington, DC area families of children and adults with developmental disabilities at fundraiser on June 12, 2008 at the City Club of Washington. Along with representatives from the local hospitality industry and other local businesses, NCC awarded the first Respitality packages to families of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Robin Lee, a Silver Spring mother of a child with a developmental disability, was one of the five award recipients during the June 12 event.

Respitality combines respite care and the hospitality industry to provide "pampered night off" packages to caregivers of children and adults with developmental disabilities. "Most caregivers never get a night off; they often feel isolated, don't take time for themselves and have high levels of parental stress," said Philip Campbell, NCC's CEO. Respitality provides a weekend night on the town with a one-night stay at a local hotel, dinner at an area restaurant, flowers, tickets to local events and spa services.

Recipient Robin Lee has three children, ages 5, 15 and 17 years. The 15-year-old, Devonte, has a developmental disability and attends NCC's school in Montgomery County. Ms. Lee said she "cannot remember having a night to herself." Occasionally, she will ask family members to stay with Devonte, but she is always worrying and rushing back to her son, because she doesn't want to be a burden on others. This Respitality mini-vacation is something she can hardly imagine. When she accepted the award during the event, she said "this weekend will fee like a whole week to me!"

Respitality is possible through the generosity of many sponsors: AMS of Maryland, Capitol Asset Management Group, Clarke & Sampson, Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Heritage Investment Management Corporation, Maple Park Associates, PEPCO, Seyfarth & Shaw, Whiteford Taylor and Preston LLP, Rhoda and Gilbert Smith, Adams National Bank, Patrick Deconcini and Susan Rotkis, Steven Loewy, The General Design Company, 701 Restaurant, Hanks Oyster Bar, The Studio Theatre, DC Improv, York Flowers, Enchanted Florists, JW Marriott, Grand Hyatt Washington, Jack's Bar and Restaurant, The Green Lantern, Landini Brothers, London Bob Hair Salon. NCC is still seeking donations to continue the program and provide more such awards to other deserving families.