Our Staff
Janet
Gora - Executive Director: As the Executive Director, I am
responsible for providing proactive and effective leadership and management
for the DSAGC to
fulfill our mission and values working alongside our Board of Trustees
and staff. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of service
to the self advocates, families and our region and to enhance the DSAGC's
professionalism across the nation. As an advocate for people with Down
syndrome, by my decisions, actions, and statements, I endeavor to represent
the values and worth of all persons in our community.
I have seventeen years experience working with people with disabilities
in a variety of ways including residential, vocational and social. I
live in Anderson Township with my husband and two boys.
Email Janet ( janet@dsagc.com )
Kerin Caudill - Event Manager: As the Event Manager, I am responsible for planning and implementing our organization’s
special events. I will be your main point of contact for the Buddy Walk, Golf Tournament
Holiday Party, Summer Picnic and much, much more. I relocated to Cincinnati from New York/New Jersey with my husband and children in August 2009. I have over 10 years of event fundraising experience.
Email Kerin ( kerin@dsagc.com )
Amy Fleming - Development Associate: A native of New York, Amy has worked for non-profits in Boston and Chicago, she recently moved from Chicago where she was the Events and Communications Manager at the Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation. At Boston University, Amy worked in the Athletic Development office and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. She graduated from Scranton University in PA and has a Masters from Boston University.
As the newest member of the DSAGC team, Amy will work closely with our Development Committee and donors. She will assist in the Annual Fund and hopes to grow the Donor base so we can continue to support the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome. She and her husband, Andy live in Oakley with their two children.
Email Amy ( amy@dsagc.com
)
Collette
Maddy - Office Coordinator: I joined the DSAGC staff in June
of 2006, if you've called our office you have probably spoken to me.
I support the Executive Director as well as the other staff members
and also manage the office as well as greet visitors. If you want to
make a memorial, honorarium or general donation I can help you, or
if you would like to inquire about one of our awareness items I can
also help you. Asking about our adoption awareness program? I can get
you in touch with Robin! Do you have a general question you would like
answered? Call or email me! I'm a lifetime resident of Cincinnati.
Email Collette ( collette@dsagc.com
)
Molly
Mattheis - School Age Matters Coordinator: As the School Age
Matters Coordinator I address the unique needs of school age children
ages 6 throught 17. My background is in education, social work and
advocacy. I worked with the DS Clinic in Iowa and on Systems Change
Grants in Montana on Inclusion and Transitions. The wealth of knowledge
and experience I have comes from my greatest teacher, my son Mac who
is 20. I wrote the “Mac Book” article in 1996 as a tool for families
to use with schools in helping them to understand who our children
really are, outside the label of Down Syndrome. I joined DSAGC in May
after working with First Steps.
I am the facilitator of the Education Advisory Board and participate
on the Post Secondary Education Committee. I assist with the Buddy Club,
Teen Clubs and Summer Camp activities. I am also fortunate to be the
DSAGC representative for the Kentucky KIDS satellite group.
I live in Northern Kentucky with my husband Phil, son Mac and daughter
Malloy. Our other daughter Meghan resides in Montana. I have the same
dreams and hopes for Mac that I have had for my daughters that they are
healthy, happy and excited about what they choose to do with their lives.
Email
Molly ( Molly@dsagc.com )
Patrice
McHale - Program Support Assistant: I am the Program Support
Assistant at the DSAGC. I work two days a week in the office and sometimes
I get to go to schools and businesses and talk to them about Down syndrome.
I started school when I was five and attended a Montessori program.
I graduated from Anderson High School in 1991. My first job was at
the public library where I worked for 14 years. I like my job at the DSAGC but
I especially like the AIM (Advocacy in Motion) group which takes place
at the DSAGC on
the third Friday of every month. AIM is when other people with Down
syndrome come into the office and we work together. The AIM people
are all my friends but I have many friends in the community too. I
someday would like to have a boyfriend – but he must know how to dance!
Email Patrice ( dsagc@dsagc.com
)
Martha
Ostendarp - Early Matters Support Coordinator: I spent 25
years as a preschool teacher before joining the DSAGC staff in 2005.
I was inspired to co-found the Grandparent Group just shortly after
my third grandchild was born with Down syndrome. As Early Matters Support
Coordinator. I provide a 24 hour helpline, a parent email network,
and a variety of support groups to assist parents. I also manage the
Early Matters Program which provides educational and networking opportunities.
Contact Martha at Martha@dsagc.com or call the 24 hour helpline at
513-761-5400 Ext 18.
Scott Osterfeld – Volunteer Coordinator: Scott is the newest addition to the DSAGC staff. In addition to his part-time involvement with our organization, he also the Chief Operating Officer for the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP) and President of Osterfeld Consulting, a principle based educational and consulting company that provides education and training in the human service field. He graduated from Miami University with a B.S. degree in Individual and Family Studies in 1990 and received an M.S. degree in Family and Child Studies from Miami University in 1992.
Scott and his wife Renee of 22 years reside in Fairfield with their three beautiful daughters- Kayte (16), Jessie (13), and Lindsey (10). When Scott is not working you will find him on the soccer field cheering on his three daughters, watching movies, or reading.
Email
Scott ( scott@dsagc.com )
Lisa
Steele - Business Manager: I have been with the DSAGC since
1992. Through the years I have worked as Administrative Assistant and
Program Coordinator. For the past few years I have had various administrative
and financial responsibilities as the Business Manager. I have been
the editor of the DSAGC newsletter,
D.S.Press since 1996. I also bring experience as the mother of a child
with developmental delays and share the same joys and challenges as
many of our parents.
Email Lisa ( lisa@dsagc.com )
Sally
K.Tilow - Outreach Coordinator: As the Outreach Coordinator,
I am responsible for increasing community awareness of the capabilities
and unique contributions of individuals with Down syndrome. I coordinate
the educational outreach programs for three targeted groups: educators,
healthcare professionals, and the general public. I also coordinate
the Lending Library and Speaker’s Bureau. In addition, I am responsible
for DSAGC printed
materials, updating our website, and general public relations. I have
an M.Ed from the University of Cincinnati and taught special education
for 12 years.
Email Sally ( sally@dsagc.com )
upcoming
2/7/2012 - Transition Bootcamp: Exiting High School
2/21/2012 - Transition Bootcamp: Exiting High School (Session 2)
3/25/2012 - 3rd Annual World Down Syndrome Day 5K Race and Walk
