At PALS Programs, we believe the people who experience our programs should help shape the future of them. This year, we’re excited to introduce two standing committees that do exactly that: our Self-Advocacy Committee and our Volunteer Leadership Committee. These groups meet monthly and bring together participants with Down syndrome and volunteers from across our regions to share ideas, feedback, and perspectives that directly inform the work of PALS.
Each committee selects a Chair who serves as the spokesperson for their committee to the PALS Executive Board and joins the Board as an ex-officio, non-voting member for one year. We’re thrilled to introduce Angela and Chris as our first committee chairs. Read on to learn more about Angela and Chris!
From Angela:
Angela Woronko
PALS Volunteer Committee Chair
Hi PALS Programs family! My name is Angela (she/her), and I am beyond excited to be serving as the Volunteer Committee Chair. This summer will mark my fourth year with PALS, a place that has become like a second home to me.
At the beginning of 2023, I was searching for fun ways to spend my summer and stumbled across PALS. My first camp was in Pittsburgh, and it is safe to say that by the end of the week, I was completely drawn in. Since then, I have had the opportunity to serve as both a Team Lead and a Program Lead in Baltimore, as well as a Peer at the San Francisco 21+ program. Each year, I am left amazed by the impact of the PALS mission and the incredible community that comes together to make each camp experience so meaningful.
As the Volunteer Committee Chair, I am most looking forward to serving as a direct voice between our volunteers, the Volunteer Committee, and PALS staff. The opportunity to engage more deeply with volunteers across programs and to continue building strong relationships within the growing PALS community continues to energize and inspire me.
When I am not at PALS, you can find me traveling around the world, scuba diving, running marathons, or going on adventures with my friends!
I cannot wait for another incredible year and am ecstatic to connect with you all!
Chris Lopes
Self Advocacy Committee Chair
From Chris:
Hi I’m Chris, the Self-Advocacy Committee Chair! I am from Fairfield Connecticut. I started PALS in 2018 in New Jersey, and after going there I’ve done at least one PALS camp each summer AND the holiday & spring break camps. I can’t get enough PALS. PALS definitely helped me be comfortable with the true version of myself.
I have a part time job at an elementary school as a lunch aide. I am part of another group called Team Woofgang & Co, a nonprofit organization that supports people with disabilities training in job opportunities with social skills. I volunteer for Swim Angelfish, an inclusive swimming program. I’m also an actor - I’ve been in movies and shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime and NBC. I’ve even done some Off Broadway shows.
As the Committee Chair, I am looking forward to learning more about the financial and business aspects of running PALS and how I can help more people know about the magic of PALS.