Milwaukee
21st Annual Statewide Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
September was a big month for DSAW!! We hosted our 21st Annual Statewide Down Syndrome Awareness Walk at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Sunday, September 24! It was a beautiful, warm day at the zoo, and we had almost 2,500 people come out to support DSAW and to raise awareness of Down syndrome. Our amazing self-advocates walked the red carpet in our 21 Showcase, we had tons of raffle prizes, lunch, music, games, inflatables, and more! Thanks to your incredible generosity, we surpassed our fundraising goal! We are so humbled and are proud to work for an organization that changes lives every day. Thank you, thank you. Thank you to our volunteers, donors, sponsors, planning committee, families, self-advocates, walkers, and to everyone who made this spectacular day as amazing as it was!
Young Leaders Bootcamp
Throughout August, self-advocates in our Young Leaders Bootcamp rehearsed a musical! On September 6, they got to perform "The Princess and the Dance Crew" for family and friends at our state office. They did a fantastic job - see for yourself!
We also harvested tomatoes and basil from our garden to make homemade bruschetta!
October is Art Month for Young Leaders Bootcamp! We'll be exercising our artistic abilities to make individual and group creations, and we'll work out the right side of our brains learning about art! Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Sign up here!
Cooking with the Kiddos
This month at Cooking with the Kiddos we made a yummy meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup. We also baked cookies for the people who came to see our self-advocates perform the play! Cooking with the Kiddos is a fun evening of family bonding, plus a free meal... what could be better?! Cook with us next month and sign up here!
Self-advocate Michelle Levenhagen accepts a sponsorship from Erie Insurance for our Statewide Awareness Walk!
Motor Skills Playgroup
We again hosted our bi-weekly Motor Skills Playgroup at our State office! This group is a fun chance for children to learn occupational therapy skills in a free environment, while parents enjoy coffee and each other's company. Join us in October to hang out with other families and let your child play!
Young Leaders Academy
Self-Advocates joined us for our bi-weekly Young Leaders Academy twice in September. Every class involves a respite activity such as kickball or yoga, and then ends with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. This month we went hiking near our office! Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come out to Young Leaders in October!
Tween Club
Tween Club in September was super fun! We made key chains and Shrinky Dinks, and we played an exciting game of dodgeball. Parents dropped off their tweens at the State office for the night, and then they got to enjoy a casual night at our Parent's Night Out! Sign up for October's Tween Club.
Parent's Night Out
We hosted our monthly Parent's Night Out at Club Paragon again in September. Join us for next month's Parent's Night Out on October 13th!
Grandparents Group
Grandparents of a loved one with Down syndrome meet at our state office on the first Tuesday of each month! We had a great group in September. Consider joining us on October 3rd!
Green Bay
Monthly Playgroup
For September's monthly playgroup, DSAW-Green Bay joined DSAW-Sheboygan at Henry Schuette Park in Manitowoc! Families came together to enjoy the early fall weather on a huge playground.
Mom's Night Out
DSAW-Green Bay held our monthly Mom's Night Out at Mr. Brew's Taphouse! We enjoyed free appetizers and a night of casual conversation. Couples will be invited to October's Night Out on Sunday, October 22! Sign up here.
La Crosse
Festival Foods Brat Barn Fundraiser
At the beginning of the month, we hosted a Brat Barn Fundraiser at Festival Foods for our Awareness Walk. Volunteers were able to earn money for their walk teams!! Self-advocate Rylee rocked it :)
Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
September was our big month!! We hosted our Down Syndrome Awareness Walk at the Onalaska Omni Center on Saturday, September 16th. Despite a few drizzles in the morning, we had a beautiful day raising awareness and acceptance of our loved ones with Down syndrome! We had tons of raffle prizes, inflatables, lawn games, a delicious lunch from Big Boar, and 80s music all afternoon! We CRUSHED our fundraising goal and can continue to change lives through our programs and services. A huge THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, walk committee members, planners, families, self-advocates, Walk Royalty, and to everyone who made this day possible. We are so thankful!!
Sheboygan
Playgroup
DSAW-Sheboygan & Surrounding Counties joined DSAW-Green Bay in Manitowoc for a playdate at Henry Schuette Park in early September!
Family Zoo Day
We also had a Family Zoo Day at Lincoln Park Zoo in Manitowoc on September 10th. Several families enjoyed gorgeous fall weather and exploring the zoo.
Chippewa Valley
St. Croix River Valley Parent's Night Out
Parents and caregivers of a loved one with Down syndrome enjoyed free appetizers and a casual night out at Pier 500 in Hudson for our first Parent's Night Out in the St. Croix River Valley area! If you're in Pepin, Pierce, Dunn, St. Croix, or Polk county, join our St. Croix River Valley Facebook page to stay connected and up to date on our upcoming events!
Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
September was our big month!! We hosted our 11th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk at Irvine Park on Sunday, September 24. We were Powerful in Pink as around 800 people walked to raise awareness and acceptance of our loved ones with Down syndrome! Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, committee members, planners, families, self-advocates, and to everyone who made our walk a success! We love you!
Central WI (Wausau)
DSAW-Central WI hosted an informational meeting about IEPs in September. Garrett Lancelle and Jessica Raschka let parents in on all there is to know about IEPs, while the kids did activities. We also served lunch!
Fox Cities
DSAW-Fox Cities launched its Teen FrienDS Club program in September! On the second Friday of each month September-May, teens with Down syndrome ages 13-19 are invited to join us at our office in Appleton for movies, snacks, music, games, and more!! While the teens are at Teen FrienDS Club, parents are invited to join us for a Parent's Night Out for free appetizers and an evening of casual conversation.
Kenosha/Racine/Walworth
DSAW-KRW hosted a playdate at Petzke Park in Kenosha! We had a beautiful fall day, and the park is accessible for all children and is huge!!
