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Home » Make Connections » Connect with your Local Community

Pennsylvania

The Williams Syndrome Association is organized into 19 regions across the United States. Pennsylvania is part of the Tri-State Region. Each region works to provide resource information and social and educational opportunities to its members. Volunteers are standing by in each state within the regions (parents and grandparents who can provide resources and information) to speak with new families or any families needing support. They are joined by many other volunteers who work hard to facilitate gatherings such as picnics, conferences, and fundraisers. 

Below you will find the name(s) and contact email addresses of your state's Family Support Network volunteer(s).

Family Support Volunteer:
Jenny Knox of Villanova, Pennsylvania
Email

Area of focus: new diagnosis, children, WSA camp

Local Facebook Group:
Melissa Murphy
Blog author, Family Support Volunteer:
Melissa Murphy of Villanova, Pennsylvania
Email

Melissa Murphy is a career federal government attorney, handling a range of complex appellate cases, regulatory matters, and policy issues. Melissa is active within the disability community, particularly around issues concerning family engagement and inclusion practices. A graduate of Temple University Institute on Disabilities’ Partners in Policymaking program, she helped revise the Early Learning Program Partnership Standards in Pennsylvania, served as Parent Co-Chair of the Montgomery County Interagency Coordinating Council, worked on the planning team for the annual statewide Family Engagement Summit in Pennsylvania, and has been nominated to the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Committee. Melissa has served on the Board of Trustees for the WSA in other terms and is a past Board President. She lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband Ben, a pediatrician, and their young children: Rose (WS), Charlie, Hope, and Gabriel.

Local Facebook Group:
Family Support Volunteer:
Carol Severino of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Email

Area of focus: adults, but happy to connect with any age

Local Facebook Group:
Family Support Volunteer:
Aine Smalley of Rose Valley, Pennsylvania
Email

Family Support Area of focus: school-age children, teens

Local Facebook Group:
Family Support Volunteer:
Christie Yamron of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Email

Areas of focus: new diagnosis, young children, therapy

Local Facebook Group:

Clinics in pa

Armellino Center of Excellence for Williams Syndrome at CHOP and Penn

34th St. & Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

Sanmati Cuddapah, MD – CHOP Williams Syndrome Clinic Director
Cindy Tsikalas and Erin Watson - Patient Navigators (888) 7-ACE-4-WS
Website
aceforws@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Upcoming Events in pa

FSN - Adult Siblings of Individuals with WS

Mon, 05/19/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

FSN - Parents/Caregivers of Children (Under 18) with WS and Anxiety Meeting

Tue, 05/20/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 05/20/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

FSN - Navigating Transition from High School Support

Wed, 05/21/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

FSN - Parents/Caregivers of Adults with WS and Challenging Behaviors Meeting

Thu, 05/22/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Cruise 301 - Last Looks and Cruising Craziness

Thu, 05/22/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 05/22/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

FSN - Parents/Caregivers of Individuals with WS-Autism Dual Diagnosis

Fri, 05/23/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

FSN - Parents/Caregivers of Adults with WS and Anxiety Meeting

Wed, 05/28/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

FSN - Craft & Convo for Parents/Caregivers

Fri, 05/30/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 06/12/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 06/17/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

WSA Adventure Seekers Cruise

Sat, 06/21/2025 - 4:00 am UTC to Sat, 06/28/2025 - 4:00 am UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 07/15/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 07/17/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

Williams Syndrome Band Bash - Butler, PA

Sat, 08/02/2025 - 2:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 08/19/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 08/21/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 09/16/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 09/18/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

Trick-or-Treat Walk for Williams - Pittsburgh, PA

Sat, 10/18/2025 - 4:00 pm UTC to 10/18/2025 - 8:00 pm

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 10/21/2025 - 8:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 11:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 11/18/2025 - 9:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Fri, 11/21/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Tuesday Shenanigans!

Tue, 12/16/2025 - 9:00 pm UTC

Adventure Seekers Jamboree - Thursday Hullabaloo!

Fri, 12/19/2025 - 12:00 am UTC

Dream Team Saturdays - For Adventure Seekers 38+

Sat, 12/27/2025 - 7:00 pm UTC

Contact us

243 Broadway Unit 9188
Newark, NJ 07104

info@williams-syndrome.org

248.244.2229
800.806.1871
248.244.2230 fax

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Position on Inclusion

The WSA upholds the following positions on inclusion. We believe that: 

  • everyone benefits when individuals with WS are meaningfully included in educational, work, and community settings 
  • individuals with WS should receive all necessary supports and services to fully participate in their family lives, communities, and society as a whole
  • high expectations should be the norm, and individuals with WS and their families should decide how they best learn, work, and enjoy social settings
  • “inclusion” is not one-size-fits-all, and will look different for each family based on each individual’s desires and needs
  • inclusion creates a sense of belonging in society, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to achieve dreams

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