Photo Gallery < Back Jan - Mar 2026 Especially Needed's Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt and Resource Fair March 28, 2026 _____________________________________________________ North Texas Disability Chamber's Community Connections March 5, 2026 _____________________________________________________ The Strategy (Hack-A-Thon) Meeting February 26, 2026 _____________________________________________________ Envision Dallas Tour February 23, 2026 _____________________________________________________ The Arc of DFW Area’s ACE Workshop February 21, 2026 _____________________________________________________ St. Timothy Christian Academy Tour February 12, 2026 _____________________________________________________ Valentine's Day Card-Making and Networking Workshop February 9, 2026 _____________________________________________________ North Texas Disability Chamber's Annual Meeting & Inaugural Hall of Fame February 6, 2026 _____________________________________________________ WITH Ministries Worship As One Accessibility Summit February 5, 2026 _____________________________________________________ Pioneering Excellence's MLK Scholarship Gala January 16, 2026 _____________________________________________________ Dominique CARES Tour January 13, 2026 _____________________________________________________ 29 Acres Tour January 6, 2026 _____________________________________________________ < Back

The Founder & The Journey When Portia’s second son was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, a new and challenging journey began. A sense of hopelessness crept in, and loneliness became a constant companion. The diagnosis was foreign, and the uncertainty and fear about his future was just as heavy on the heart as the uncertainty and fear of his day-to-day. At the time, resources were scarce and genuine, non-judgmental support for families was hard to find. She had no one to confide in, no one to learn from. The road felt long and isolating. But twenty-one years later, Portia and her son, Callie, stand as a testament to resilience and hope. Their journey is one of perseverance, filled with falls and triumphs, and unwavering faith. She learned that a diagnosis is not an ending—it's a beginning. There is hope and there is more to the story that they are navigating. Portia's heart beats for individuals with exceptionalities and their families. Through The Not Forgotten 1st, her mission is to promote awareness, acceptance, and respect. She is driven by a deep understanding of the road these families travel, even if their individual walks differ. She desires for both the individuals and the families to know that hope exists and they are not alone. Portia is here to help—whether it's connecting families with resources, finding job opportunities, or simply offering a shoulder to lean on. She wants every family to know that love and support live here.

Donate Giveaway Items: To donate back-to-school supplies, non-perishable food items, or household essentials, please email cdawson@tnf1st.org . Back-to-School Items (Special Education) Non-Perishable Food Items Household Essentials Backpacks Plastic containers - all sizes Kleenex Wipes Three- hole punch Snacks (reg & gluten-free) Sheet protectors Masking tape White board & dry erase markers Fidgets & Sensory Items Hand Puppets Binders Binder rings Color printer Card stock paper/printer paper Hand sanitizer Clip board Magnetic tape Construction paper Storage bin First aid kit Toothbrush & tooth paste Deodorant Sanitary Pads Clothes pins & safety pins Tide pen Plastic baggies Cotton Swabs & cotton balls Magnifying glass headphones Adaptive pencil grips & holders Adaptive lunch boxes Adaptive devices (ex. ipad minis - Proloquo2Go) Drawing paper Dry erase pocket reusable sleeves Adaptive scissors Timers Chewies (sensory chew tools) Notebooks Weighted blankets Washable colored pencils and markers Nap mats Paper towels Non-latex gloves Adult pull-ups Pull-ups for children Sensitive (free of dye & perfume) lotion Lysol Air fresheners Plastic ware Paper plates (to use for food & to use for projects) Sharpies Batteries (AA and AAA) Glue sticks Laundry detergent Dixie cups

Care Navigation At The Not Forgotten 1st, Care Navigation is more than connecting families to resources—it’s about walking alongside individuals with exceptionalities and their families every step of the way. We understand that this journey can feel overwhelming, filled with questions, decisions, and moments where the next step isn’t always clear. That’s where Care Navigation comes in. We help bridge the gap between uncertainty and understanding by guiding families with clarity and compassion. We are here to help you move forward with confidence. Through advocacy, resource connection, and ongoing support, our goal is simple: to ensure that every individual and every family feels seen, heard, supported—and never forgotten. Care Navigator Our Care Navigators are not just here to point you in a direction—we are here to walk with you. Access Page Community Resources The Community Resource page contains a curated list of organizations, non-profits and services, all dedicated to supporting individuals with exceptionalities and their families. Access Page The Care Navigation Companion The Care Navigation Companion is a thoughtfully designed toolkit created to support individuals with exceptionalities and their families throughout every stage of their journey. Access Page

Stats According to The Arc, "The majority of people with IDD have been either unemployed or underemployed despite their ability, desire, and willingness to work in the community." According to The Arc, "The vast majority of people with IDD live in the family home and families are overwhelmingly the primary source of support for their family member with IDD. Unfortunately, the increasing reliance on families is not being met with commensurate support." According to the CDC, "In the United States, about 1 in 6 children have a developmental disability." The CDC reports that "About 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder." According to Caregiver Action Network, "More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one." According to U.S. Census Bureau, "In 2019, disability affected more than a quarter of families in the United States."

The Why "My son was diagnosed with autism during a time when it was not talked about much nor was it a word that many accepted or understood. He was diagnosed when there was not the plethora of information that is made available now. I had a front row seat to a journey that I was not acquainted with. Support was limited, so I lived by trial and error. And hope seemed to be something heard of but not obtained. My son is now an adult, and although, I did not have the resources or aid I desired, we are here surviving and thriving. So, the anchor of my why is that I want to provide what I wish I had early on in my son's journey, like family resources or just having someone with a listening and understanding ear that I could depend on. My WHY is rooted in wanting to be the embrace and support that individuals with exceptionalities and their families need, and for them to always know that they are not forgotten...and we are here." ~ Portia

Books I'm Autistic & I'm Amazing Activity & Sensory Workbook by Tralyne D. Usry "I’m Autistic and I’m Amazing by Tralyne Usry is a children’s book that celebrates neurodiversity and encourages children to embrace their unique ways of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world. Through diverse characters with special interests, the story highlights the strengths and individuality of autistic children. It also explains sensory experiences, such as feeling overwhelmed by loud sounds or bright lights, and shows how stimming can help children feel calm and safe. The book is designed to support autistic children while helping classmates and caregivers better understand and appreciate them." View Book Ziya Girl, We're Waiting on Your Voice! by LaTonya R Ordaz "Ziya's voice may look different-and that's okay. Communication comes in many forms: spoken words, AAC, gestures, facial expressions, and behavior. When we slow down, listen without judgment, and presume competence, we tell every child: You belong, You are heard. You are enough." View Book The following list of resources is provided for informational purposes only. The Not Forgotten 1st has compiled these resources based on our personal experiences and the experiences of others, but we encourage you to conduct your own thorough research and due diligence before engaging any of these providers. Your interactions and any agreements with these third parties are solely between you and the provider. By using this resource list, you acknowledge and agree that The Not Forgotten 1st is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

Operation “No One Forgotten” Pop-Up Registration More than a resource fair—Operation “No One Forgotten” is a place where individuals with exceptionalities and their families can find answers, resources, encouragement, and hope. Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (Location to be announced) First name* Last name* Email* Phone Number of Attendees* City/Zip Code * (This information helps us better understand the communities we serve and plan future programs, resources, and events where they are needed most.) What best describes you? (Select all that apply.)* Parent/Guardian Individual with an exceptionality/disability Family Member Caregiver Professional Community Member Other What age range is the individual with an exceptionality/disability?* 0–5 6–13 14–17 18–25 26+ Not Applicable Which resource areas are you most interested in? (Select all that apply.)* Education Employment & Job Training Housing Medicaid/Medicare Transportation Transition to Adulthood Social Opportunities & Inclusion ABA Therapy Speech Therapy Churches & Faith Inclusion Police & First Responders AI & Technology Support Parent Support & Networking Other Submit

Testimonials Testimonials Operation "No One Forgotten" Pop-Up August 8, 2026 City of DeSoto Mayor Rachel Proctor | Officer Washington Dylan Rafaty, Founder North Texas Disability Chamber Operation "No One Forgotten" Tactical Support for Exceptional Lives Meeting April 7, 2026 TNF1st Strategy (Hack-A-Thon) Meeting February 26, 2026 Dr. Demetrice Smith Capable Minds, Hearts & Hands Charles Daniel Merrill Lynch Deborah Bradford Community Care Allie McDaniel 29 Acres Dathan Johnson Alpaca Health Richard Martin DeSoto Police Department Clay Boatright Kim Reed Dehnu Mitchell H.E.R.O.E.S / Prosper ISD Here N' AdHere Community Town Hall July 17, 2025

Current Events Learn More _______________ Past Events 2026 Operation "No One Forgotten" Pop-Up DeSoto 2026 Operation "No One Forgotten" Tactical Support for Exceptional Lives Meeting 2026 The Strategy (Hack-A-Thon) Meeting 2025 Community Town Hall

The Mission The Not Forgotten, 1st, Inc. is a Texas based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides resources and support for individuals with exceptionalities, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, emotional disturbance, and many more. We are here to raise awareness and acceptance for the needs of this community. This encompasses expanding opportunities for meaningful employment, like providing job training, skill development and ongoing support. And we are here for the families to provide love, support, resources and understanding on a journey where they have felt alone, hopeless and forgotten. We walk hand-in-hand with families through every milestone, ensuring their loved ones are never just a number in a system, but a priority with purpose. Our primary goal is to advocate for individuals with exceptionalities and to serve as Care Navigators for their families—guiding them to resources, opportunities, and support so both the individuals and their families know they are seen, heard, and never forgotten.

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