- About Us -
The REACH Center is a lifelong learning center for individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities and their families.
It is our goal to aid in the supplemental education of children and adults to offer educational opportunities to their parents, teachers and support professionals.
OUR History
The Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society was created by parents of a child with Down syndrome in the Paris area in 2004. The purpose of the organization was to reach out to other parents of children with Down syndrome in the area. The first organized event of the organization was the 2004 Red River Valley Buddy Walk, held on October 8th, 2004. 235 walkers attended the event and helped to raise $7,000.
Since then, the organization has grown to service over twelve counties in northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma and southwest Arkansas. In 2007, the 4th annual Buddy Walk was held in Paris with almost 500 walkers and raising $27,000. Also in 2007, the National Down Syndrome Congress recognized the Red River Valley Down Syndrome Society as its Parent Group of the Year. Since it's first "Buddy Walk", RRVDSS has developed a REACH (Raising Expectations and Creating Hope) Rally as it's yearly awareness walk. In 2014; the 11th annual walk was held raising $32,000.
In the summer of 2007, the organization opened its Down Syndrome Resource Center in Paris. This center served as a location for meetings, workshops and a learning/computer lab. The center also housed the organization's lending library available to members to use for personal use upon approval by the board.
In the summer of 2007, the organization opened its Down Syndrome Resource Center in Paris. This center served as a location for meetings, workshops and a learning/computer lab. The center also housed the organization's lending library available to members to use for personal use upon approval by the board.
"Raising Expectation and Creating Hope"
In November of 2012, the organization purchased a 7300 sq. ft. building located at 505 Lamar Avenue. This building (known as the REACH Center) serves as the organizations educational resource facility. Individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities receive free one-on-one tutoring. The REACH Center is also the location for meetings, workshops, the lending resource library, computer lab, and will soon open its doors for an after school recreation program.