Events
NIGHT TO SHINE
Night to Shine Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, focused on God’s love for individuals with special needs ages 14+. This event is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and comes to Albania through the local church ICF Tirana in collaboration with the Jonathan Center and many local partners. We are very privileged to be part of this growing worldwide movement, which began in 2014 with the first organization of this magical event by the Tim Tebow Foundation and for the first time in Albania, Tirana, since 2016. Thousands of young people with special needs have been celebrated and rejoiced in, and will continue to be celebrated to remind each individual of God’s love for them and how precious they are in His eyes.
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)
March 21 (3/21) marks World Down Syndrome Day, a date symbolically chosen because of its association with trisomy 21 (21;3).
On this day, public activities are organized in many countries of the world with the aim of sensitizing and informing the community about Down Syndrome. Albania, for the first time, became part of these celebrations on March 21, 2012, through the Jonathan Center.
During 2025, the March 21 campaign was developed within the framework of the global call “Improve Our Support Systems”, focusing on advocacy and raising public awareness. Through a survey conducted with 89 parents, two main needs were identified: financial support for mothers and primary caregivers, as well as economic assistance for adults with special needs. These request were also reflected and addressed through local and international media.
As part of the campaign, an awareness video was produced in collaboration with the Albanian Football Federation, as well as a series of media collaborations, including the Wake Up show. In parallel, the Jonathan Center participated in international conferences and discussions, including events in New York, the EESC in Brussels, and the Global Disability Summit in Berlin. In total, the campaign reached over 128,130 views on social media, turning advocacy into a concrete tool for strengthening the voice of the families we represent.