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Testimonials Testimonials Testimonials Community Town Hall July 17, 2025

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. Our ultimate goal is to advocate for equal access and opportunity for individuals with exceptionalities and to support the families who are the pillars of strength that they lean on, ensuring both the individuals and the families are seen, heard and know that they matter. They are The Not Forgotten 1st.

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Why We Are Here _____________________________________________ Acceptance Love / Compassion Equity Inclusion Belonging Community Respect _____________________________________________ To Empower Independence and Inclusion: Motivation: "We believe that every individual with special needs/disabilities deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling and independent life. We strive to empower individuals to reach their full potential, fostering a society where everyone belongs and thrives." To Amplify Voices and Advocating for Rights: Motivation: "We are passionate about amplifying the voices of individuals with special needs/disabilities and their families. We recognize that their journeys are vital in shaping policies and practices that impact their lives. We are committed to advocating for their rights and ensuring their voices and their stories are heard. To Bridge Gaps in Support and Resources: Motivation: "We understand the challenges faced by individuals with special needs/disabilities and their families in navigating complex systems and accessing essential resources. We are motivated to bridge these gaps by providing information, support, and advocacy to ensure that families have the tools they deserve and need to thrive. To Build a Stronger, More Compassionate Community: Motivation: "We are motivated by the belief that a community is only as strong as its most vulnerable members. We are dedicated to building a more compassionate and inclusive society where individuals with special needs/disabilities and their families are fully supported. We believe that by working together, we can create a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity, purpose, and joy." To Foster Understanding and Acceptance: Motivation: "We are driven to foster a culture of understanding, acceptance, and respect for individuals with special needs/disabilities. We believe that education and awareness are key to dismantling stigma and promoting inclusion. We are committed to creating a community where differences are celebrated, and everyone is valued for their unique contributions. We seek to cultivate a world where disability is seen as a natural part of human diversity."

Contact Us The Not Forgotten 1st (Non-Profit) Mailing Address 8992 Preston Road Suite 110-736 Frisco, Texas 75034 Phone 214 - 937 - 4891 Email contact@tnf1st.org Social Media

< Back Video Resources TNF1st Community Town Hall Panelists The Conversation Continues 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.

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 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.

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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