About Us
Our Mission
The mission of St. Coletta of Greater Washington is to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover their full potential.
Our Vision
Our vision is for people with intellectual disabilities to be recognized and accepted as valuable contributors to the world around them.
Value Statement
At St. Coletta we believe in the immeasurable value of the individual human spirit and the right of each individual to live as full and independent a life as possible. We respect the dignity of all persons entrusted to our care and our goal is to serve them in an atmosphere that encourages their talents, celebrates their successes and builds their self-esteem.
Our History
St. Coletta was founded in 1959 by parents of a child with Down Syndrome. The school began in the basement of St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington with five students. Over the intervening years it moved to several different locations in Arlington and in 1996 school leaders made the decision to purchase a permanent facility in Alexandria that would allow for growth. The larger facility allowed the school to begin an adult day program as well as to expand the student population. In September 2006 we moved our school program to our DC campus. In 2008 we started an adult program in Rockville.
Support Our Work
We are a non-sectarian, non-profit organization. We depend on the support of caring individuals to be able to offer the tailored instruction and variety of activities that help our students and adults develop all their potential.
Contributions to St. Coletta are tax-deductible, much needed, and greatly appreciated.
We are good stewards of your contributions. One-hundred percent (100%) of your donation goes directly to programs for our students and adults. Thank you.
Board of Trustees
PRESIDENT
Sue Goodhart
Executive Vice President | Compass
Secretary
Delmas Johnson
Retired
(Former U.S. Department of Transportation Director for Strategic and Program Planning, NHTSA)
Treasurer
Chris Bettencourt, CFP®
President
Bethesda Financial Advisors
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
David Pryor, Jr.
Director Government Affairs
Microsoft
Chief Executive Officer
Michael A. Rodrigues
Pablo Chavez
Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Affairs
LinkedIn
Karla H. Crockett
Director, Luxury and Lifestyle, Brand Communications, Hilton
Leah Damato
St. Coletta Employee
Former St. Coletta student
Terrence Dwyer, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.R.
Rheumatologist, Associate
Greater Metropolitan Orthopaedic Institute
Karen Gray
Attorney
Sandra Markwood
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Antoinette Saddler, MD
George Washington University
Medical Faculty Associates
Mike Smith
Cornerstone Government Affairs
Special Education PCS Board
PRESIDENT
Peggy O’Brien, PhD
Director of Education
Folger Shakespeare Library
TREASURER
Francis Campbell
DC ANC Commissioner
DCPS Dedicated Aide
Recipient Capitol Hill Community Achievement Award
SECRETARY
Charles Henstenburg
Former St. Coletta School parent
Education Committee
Frances Slaughter
Nursery School Teacher (3-5 year olds)
Recipient Capitol Hill Community Achievement Award
Parent Representative
Josh Lewis
Parent of a St. Coletta student
Chief of Staff
EPA Office of Air and Radiation
Carla Ware-Easterling
Licensed Graduate Social Worker, Department of Behavioral Health
Mental Health Services Division, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Program