Conversations with Ann Foyt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Foyt.

Hi Ann, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Families, Respect, Inspire, Education, Networking for Down Syndrome & Special Needs is a volunteer-based, non-profit 501C3 that was founded in 2007 by parents of children with Down Syndrome. We are governed by a Board of Directors and Advisory Board and are the leading voice for Down Syndrome in the West Florida area. We proudly serve Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Families – We provide compassionate emotional support, vital year-round programming, and engaging family activities for our special need’s community. Respect – We demand that everyone treat people with disabilities with respect and understanding. We have taken the pledge to help end the use of the R-Word. Inspire – We Inspire our special needs individuals to believe in themselves and become a productive member of society. Educate – We educate our community, its leaders, and professionals to know our worth and to see our value. Network – We continually look for special need’s resources and opportunities to help our community. Down syndrome – F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Down Syndrome Support group is our primary focus, established in 2007. Special needs – We are an all-inclusive organization that serves the entire special needs community. FRIENDS PARENT PACKETS – We assemble and distribute tote bags full of Special Needs Resource information, brochures, and pamphlets. The packets come with the book “Babies with Down Syndrome” “A Parents Guide.” We donated over 150 Parent Packets this year. BABY F.R.I.E.N.D.S. PLAYGROUP – F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Playgroup is geared towards parents expecting a baby with Down syndrome and/or Special needs with children birth to five years. Siblings and grandparents are welcome, and we encouraged them to attend. Join other parents to share experiences and knowledge and most importantly, to give each other support. FRIENDS SELF ADVOCATES DANCE (15yrs and up). We host a monthly dance for all special needs individuals in Hillsborough at Livingstone Academy and in Pinellas at the Oakfield Methodist Church in Seminole. Self Advocate Job Training – Along with Legends Hospitality, FRIENDS volunteers raise money and teach our Self Advocates how to work in a Fast Food environment. FAMILY SUPPORT MEETINGS – We host a monthly Pot Luck in Hillsborough and Pinellas.

Parents can come and meet each other and share experiences and knowledge. FRIENDS GAME NIGHT – Crafts & Games with Miss Bonnie Begley every month in Brandon. The 5th F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk – We are bringing our popular F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk to Largo Central Park, March 21, 2021. It is our largest event/fundraiser and families get together teams to participate in our Advocacy Walk to support individuals and families affected by Down Syndrome. Its also F.R.I.E.N.D.S largest fundraiser and monies raised help support all of our programs and activities. B STREET MARKET – Ken Brownlee Realty and Joe Wright are going to raise $50,000 for FRIENDS! Join us the 1st Saturday of each month at our open-air market. Eat lunch, stroll around the Vendor stalls in search of one of a kind artisan gifts and foods. COMING SOON! THE F.R.I.E.N.D.S. CENTER – an activity center for Special Needs individuals to come for information and support meetings. Weekly playdates, adult dances, to celebrate birthdays and special occasions.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Covid hit us hard, just like it did everyone else. One of the benefits of belonging to FRIENDS is being able to come together with others who share the same journey as yourself. We had to stop all of our programs, get-togethers, support meetings, dances, etc…because of Covid. Thank goodness for Zoom. We now reach out to our members with weekly dances, monthly craft night, and monthly support meetings. We were still able to deliver our Parent Packets and delivered over 150 to St. Joseph Women’s, St. Joseph Children’s, Brandon, Tampa General, and Mease Countryside Hospitals. We mailed out over 40 FRIENDS Parent Packets to new Families coming to Florida and New families who found out they had a child with Down syndrome. We hope to have our annual 5th Buddy Walk on World Down Syndrome Day, Sunday, March 21, 2021.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We need a Special Needs Activity Center, one that will welcome kids, adults, and families with special needs with open arms. Our dream is to have a small daycare/day program, activities that all can enjoy, and adult dances on the weekends. A special place for our teens and adults to gather and spend time with their friends. When our young adults finish high school there are very little choices for them. If they are on the Med Waiver or their parents can pay the fees, they can attend a Day Program for 4-8hrs a day, but if they are not on the Med Waiver and their parents can’t pay the fees they are stuck at home, alone, with nothing to do. FRIENDS wants to be there for them.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Walking to school on my 10th birthday, it was a beautiful day in May. I am from Beaufort, a small town in the Lowcountry of S.C. Days were spent fishing, crabbing, shrimping, camping out in the back yard, and eating watermelon with my sisters.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@friendssupport.org
• Website: www.friendssupport.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friendsdownsyndrome/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSWESTFLORIDA
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Friends_DSWF
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/Ph9CEyEA1v0