In 2001, two parents of children with Down syndrome met through their genetic specialist with the idea of starting an organization for other parents to meet, share experiences, and get information about Down syndrome in Miami-Dade County. They both shared the mindset that individuals with Down syndrome are just that—individuals—people with personalities, ideas, and tremendous spirit. Their idea began with small fundraisers and their first event, a family picnic at a local park now hosted annually. That original idea, with the help of other like-minded parents, became what is known today as the Down Syndrome Association of Miami (DSAOM), incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in September 2005.
With the mission to provide support and services to parents and individuals with Down syndrome, as well as to bring awareness to the Miami-Dade community, DSAOM hosted its first ever “Miracle Walk” in 2007. The walk was named for the street on which the event would take place, Miracle Mile. In what was originally conceptualized as a small event, organizers were blown away by the participation of over 2,000 proud families, friends, and supporters. The Miracle Walk was further supported by community leaders and advocates, countless online donors, over 40 “Platinum” and “Gold” level corporate sponsors, and several community volunteers. As it turned out, the walk was aptly named; it was in fact a Miracle. The event now takes place annually.
Today, DSAOM welcomes parents of new babies born with Down syndrome in Miami-Dade County with gift baskets and provides them with books and other constructive information about Down syndrome. DSAOM has instituted a “therapy gift certificate program,” where children with Down syndrome could enter to win monthly gift certificates for needed speech, occupational or physical therapy. DSAOM hosts age-appropriate classes for babies, toddlers, and young children with Down syndrome designed to stimulate the mind and activate the body and allow parents an opportunity to network. DSAOM also hosts a workshop to teach parents how to advocate for their children and navigate the sometimes complex Miami-Dade County school system for children with special needs. DSAOM has also gotten involved on a national level, supporting the National Down Syndrome Society.
DSAOM continues to make strides towards realizing its mission, to provide much needed support and services to parents and individuals with Down syndrome and to bring awareness to Miami-Dade. Our hope is for everyone to realize that individuals with Down syndrome are valuable members of our community who deserve the chance to realize their personal dreams and aspirations as adults.
For additional information, please click here.
With the mission to provide support and services to parents and individuals with Down syndrome, as well as to bring awareness to the Miami-Dade community, DSAOM hosted its first ever “Miracle Walk” in 2007. The walk was named for the street on which the event would take place, Miracle Mile. In what was originally conceptualized as a small event, organizers were blown away by the participation of over 2,000 proud families, friends, and supporters. The Miracle Walk was further supported by community leaders and advocates, countless online donors, over 40 “Platinum” and “Gold” level corporate sponsors, and several community volunteers. As it turned out, the walk was aptly named; it was in fact a Miracle. The event now takes place annually.
Today, DSAOM welcomes parents of new babies born with Down syndrome in Miami-Dade County with gift baskets and provides them with books and other constructive information about Down syndrome. DSAOM has instituted a “therapy gift certificate program,” where children with Down syndrome could enter to win monthly gift certificates for needed speech, occupational or physical therapy. DSAOM hosts age-appropriate classes for babies, toddlers, and young children with Down syndrome designed to stimulate the mind and activate the body and allow parents an opportunity to network. DSAOM also hosts a workshop to teach parents how to advocate for their children and navigate the sometimes complex Miami-Dade County school system for children with special needs. DSAOM has also gotten involved on a national level, supporting the National Down Syndrome Society.
DSAOM continues to make strides towards realizing its mission, to provide much needed support and services to parents and individuals with Down syndrome and to bring awareness to Miami-Dade. Our hope is for everyone to realize that individuals with Down syndrome are valuable members of our community who deserve the chance to realize their personal dreams and aspirations as adults.
For additional information, please click here.
Frances Capo - President
Frances Capo, became a member of the National Down Syndrome Society and other local organizations in both south and central Florida after the birth of her daughter Natalie Capo in 1995. She began coordinating annual family picnics and bake sales for individuals with Down syndrome with Lily Rossel and works closely with her genetic specialist.
She is an elementary school teacher for Miami Dade County Public Schools and worked as a special instruction consultant, for the United Way and ARC of South Florida, to help identify children with special needs in child care centers.
In September 2006, Frances Capo, along with other parents of children with Down syndrome, co-founded Down Syndrome Association of Miami.
In 2005-2006, she was “Teacher of the Year” for her contributions to education and holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education.
Frances lives in Miami-Dade county with her husband, Jose and two daughters Natalie and Amanda.
She is an elementary school teacher for Miami Dade County Public Schools and worked as a special instruction consultant, for the United Way and ARC of South Florida, to help identify children with special needs in child care centers.
In September 2006, Frances Capo, along with other parents of children with Down syndrome, co-founded Down Syndrome Association of Miami.
In 2005-2006, she was “Teacher of the Year” for her contributions to education and holds a Master of Science in Elementary Education.
Frances lives in Miami-Dade county with her husband, Jose and two daughters Natalie and Amanda.
Lilianne Rossel - V.P.
Lilianne Rossel, born in Cuba, graduate from college in 1989 as Electrical engineer and came to USA in 1992. I lived in Maryland during my first 10 years in this country. In Maryland I got marry to Juan Rossel and we have three kids Carolina in 1996, with Down syndrome, Eric in 1997 and Antonio in 1999. During the first 5 years of Carolina’s live we were involve with a local organization who provide support groups, play days and awareness event in the community.
In December 2001we decide to move to Miami. In 2002 I met a mom who has the same dream as I had; connect families with children with Down Syndrome in Miami Dade. Our first idea was a picnic; we organized the event with a lot of support from local business and families. It was a great success. Few years later I meet group of moms and we decide to create an association with the mission of provide support and education to the parents and families and awareness for our children and adult with Down Syndrome.
Today we have Down Syndrome Association of Miami and we are great team who dedicate our little extra time to build a better future to our love ones with Down syndrome.
In December 2001we decide to move to Miami. In 2002 I met a mom who has the same dream as I had; connect families with children with Down Syndrome in Miami Dade. Our first idea was a picnic; we organized the event with a lot of support from local business and families. It was a great success. Few years later I meet group of moms and we decide to create an association with the mission of provide support and education to the parents and families and awareness for our children and adult with Down Syndrome.
Today we have Down Syndrome Association of Miami and we are great team who dedicate our little extra time to build a better future to our love ones with Down syndrome.
Ayleen Pinera-Llano - Co-V.P.
Nick Gutierrez - Counsel
Nicolás J. Gutiérrez, Jr., Esq. is a founding partner at Gutiérrez & Zarraluqui, LLP. Mr. Gutiérrez concentrates his practice in providing legal counsel to international clients for inbound and outbound business transactions, with an emphasis on Latin America. He has extensive experience in corporate, governmental relations, confiscated property claims, international trade, financing and asset control regulatory matters.
Mr. Gutiérrez is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and has received an “A-V” rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest professional distinction obtainable by attorneys. Mr. Gutiérrez is a graduate of the University of Miami (B.A., Cum Laude, 1985) and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1988).
Mr. Gutiérrez is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and has received an “A-V” rating from Martindale Hubbell, which is the highest professional distinction obtainable by attorneys. Mr. Gutiérrez is a graduate of the University of Miami (B.A., Cum Laude, 1985) and received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1988).
Krystina Jiron - Counsel
Krystina Jiron is the proud mother of Sebastian and Sophia. She is also a practicing attorney with the law firm of Atkinson & Brownell, P.A. in Miami, Florida. She practices in the areas of insurance defense, insurance coverage, bad faith and construction defect litigation. She is a member of the Florida Bar, the Dade County Bar Association, including the Young Lawyers Section, and the Cuban American Bar Association. She is also admitted to practice before the District Courts of the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida and has argued before the Third District Court of Appeals.
Krystina Jiron received her Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Philosophy from Loyola University, New Orleans, graduating cum laude in 2001. She received her J.D. from Villanova University Law School in 2004. While in law school, Krystina was the Managing Editor of Outside Works for the Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal and was a member of the 2002 Jessup International Moot Court team.
Krystina Jiron received her Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Philosophy from Loyola University, New Orleans, graduating cum laude in 2001. She received her J.D. from Villanova University Law School in 2004. While in law school, Krystina was the Managing Editor of Outside Works for the Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal and was a member of the 2002 Jessup International Moot Court team.
Marta Noa - Secretary
Marta Noa has a passion for helping and teaching special needs students. She is a Special Education teacher with the Miami-Dade County Public School System. Marta earned an undergraduate degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University and a graduate degree in Urban Education from Florida International University. She holds a State of Florida Certification in Special Education K through 12th grade.
Formerly, Marta held the position of Health Educator and Clinic Liaison at the University of Miami School of Medicine Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center teaching women at community health centers the importance of self-examinations and risk factors throughout Miami-Dade county with the Mobile Mammography Unit.
In 2002, her daughter Sophia was born with Down syndrome. She became involved with a group of moms who also had children with Down syndrome which later became organized as the Down Syndrome Association of Miami in 2006.
Marta serves on the board of the Down Syndrome Association of Miami as Secretary and resides in Miami with her 3 daughters, Isabella and Anais who are twins, and Sophia.
Formerly, Marta held the position of Health Educator and Clinic Liaison at the University of Miami School of Medicine Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center teaching women at community health centers the importance of self-examinations and risk factors throughout Miami-Dade county with the Mobile Mammography Unit.
In 2002, her daughter Sophia was born with Down syndrome. She became involved with a group of moms who also had children with Down syndrome which later became organized as the Down Syndrome Association of Miami in 2006.
Marta serves on the board of the Down Syndrome Association of Miami as Secretary and resides in Miami with her 3 daughters, Isabella and Anais who are twins, and Sophia.
Cristina Beguiristain - Co-Secretary
Elina Solorzano - Treasurer
Elina Solorzano became involved with the Broward Down Syndrome Organization shortly after the birth of her son, Thomas, in 2002, because there was no active organization in the Dade County area. In 2007, she joined the recently formed DSAOM in order to assist with the Inaugural Miracle Walk. Shortly after the Miracle Walk, she became the Treasurer of the Association.
Mrs. Solorzano received a BS in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and a MBA from Georgia State University, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her career has encompassed various industries such as manufacturing, mortgage banking, domestic and international banking, however, she is now a full-time mother which is the most challenging and gratifying career she has ever had!
Elina lives in Miami with her husband, Nelson and their three sons, Trevor, Tyler and Thomas.
Mrs. Solorzano received a BS in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia and a MBA from Georgia State University, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her career has encompassed various industries such as manufacturing, mortgage banking, domestic and international banking, however, she is now a full-time mother which is the most challenging and gratifying career she has ever had!
Elina lives in Miami with her husband, Nelson and their three sons, Trevor, Tyler and Thomas.
Clara de Castro - Co-Treasurer
Daphne Mershon - Public Relations
Lillian Perez-Maribona - Community Outreach
