Milwaukee
World Down Syndrome Day Waterpark Event
On March 19, we got ready for World Down Syndrome Day by celebrating at the waterpark at Country Springs in Pewaukee! Over 150 people joined us in splashing around for World Down Syndrome Day. Come bowling with us next month!
Ben's Cycle Indoor Century Ride
Our friends at Ben's Cycle/Milwaukee Bicycle Co. Cycling Team hosted a fundraiser for DSAW on Saturday, March 10. Cyclists biked 100 miles!!! DSAW ED Dawn Nuoffer and several self-advocates were there to cheer them on! They ultimately raised $3,729 for DSAW! THANK YOU!!
Young Leaders Bootcamp
The theme for Bootcamp this month was self-advocacy and finding/using your self-directive voice! We learned how to speak up for ourselves in many different scenarios. Next month's Bootcamp will continue with this theme as we examine ourselves and prepare a presentation for the board.
Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in April!
Cooking with the Kiddos
The dads took over cooking for the second session in March! Mr. Richard Firth led us in cooking a delicious meal! We had chocolate cornflake cakes, cheesy potatoes, broccoli, and breakfast sausage muffins. Cooking meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at our state office in West Allis. To cook with us in April, sign up here.
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning! 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. Come play with us in April!
Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. This month we had a guest presenter - Megan Roth from DSAW-Family Services! We always start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. On the second Thursday in April, we will be taking a field trip to the Medical College to meet with med students and learn about how to advocate for ourselves at the doctor's office. Come join us!
Tween Club
Tween Club this month was AWESOME! We played Olympic-style mini games including pairs figure skating, slalom, races, and more! We also decorated flags and earned medals at an awards ceremony. Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, April 13. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up online.
Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together at Club Paragon for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month! Hang out with DSAW adults on Friday, April 13!
Family Movie Night
Every fourth Friday of the month, we invite families to a movie night at our office in West Allis! In March we got together for popcorn, snacks, and to watch Coco! Parents are invited to stay with their kids, or drop them off for a night of respite. Join us next month!
Rock County
All Supported Families Meeting
At the beginning of March, we hosted an All Supported Families Meeting in partnership with the Madison Area Down Syndrome Society for families in Rock County. DSAW and MADSS both shared about the programs and services we can offer to families in Janesville, Beloit, and the greater Rock County area. We're excited to expand our services to these families and have already started planning fraternal events!
World Down Syndrome Day Bowling Event
In partnership with MADSS, we hosted the first ever fraternal event in Janesville for families and their loved ones with Down syndrome! Families got together to bowl, enjoy appetizers, and brainstorm future events. We had a great time meeting new people and can't wait to host another event in the area.
Sheboygan
Parent's Night Out
DSAW-Sheboygan hosted a Parent's Night Out at Antonio's in Plymouth at the beginning of March. We had 7 DSAW adults come out for free appetizers and a night of conversation and drinks! Stay tuned for our next Parent's Night Out!
World Down Syndrome Day Waterpark Event
Over 100 people of all ages and abilities came out to join us at Breaker Bay Waterpark at Blue Harbor Resort on Sunday, March 18!! We enjoyed an afternoon splashing around at the waterpark in 84 degree weather, and we had a great time with other families celebrating World Down Syndrome Day!
La Crosse
World Down Syndrome Day Event
Our 2018 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration was a hit once again!! About 100 of us gathered at the Black River Beach House and had a great time! We enjoyed pizza and cake and lots of fun activities! There were many new faces and so many parents getting to chat and catch up. We added having a door prize this year, which was exciting!! We also had an amazing group of volunteers from LHI! Our day would not have gone as smoothly without them!! Then once again, our Super Duper Extra Chromosome Wall of Fame looked AMAZING!!! All these faces make this day one of the BEST of the year!! We were even featured on the news!
We want to thank Angie Frank and Kim Grosskopf for chairing this event! And thank you to the many parents/families who helped make this day a success!
Parent's Night Out
We had our biggest group yet at our Parent's Night Out at the end of March. DSAW parents, grandparents, adult siblings, and caregivers are all invited to join us for FREE appetizers and a casual evening! See what it's all about on Friday, April 6 at Java Vino in La Crosse.
Green Bay
World Down Syndrome Day Event
We celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, March 18 at The Kroc Center!! We went swimming, had snacks, and got to hang out with some of the coolest people around. DSAW-Green Bay mom Casey Atkinson and her daughter Tori were also on the news advocating for WDSD!
Mom's Night Out
We also hosted our monthly Mom's Night Out in March at Titletown Brewing Company! We meet the fourth Sunday of every month at 6pm for FREE appetizers and a casual evening of conversation. All parents/caregivers are invited to our Parent's Night Out next month on April 22nd! Sign up today!
Antigo
World Down Syndrome Day Event
Families celebrated World Down Syndrome Day up in Antigo! They got together at an aquatic center for an afternoon of swimming, snacks, and cake and ice cream! Their WDSD celebration also was featured on the local news!
Central WI
World Down Syndrome Day Waterpark Event
DSAW-Central WI families headed to The Grand Lodge in Rothschild to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! They got to have a fun day at the waterpark and celebrate with cake! DSAW-Central WI made the news for their awesome WDSD party, too!
Mom's Coffee Date
We got together at Java Vino again this month for a Mom's Coffee Date! We enjoy warm beverages and casual conversation with other DSAW moms, grandmas, aunts, and female caregivers. Come out next month on April 19 - we'll have Carol Wesley, the Executive Director of the Achieve Center, as a special guest!
Fox Cities
Mom's Night Out
We had a Mom's Night Out at TGI Friday's in Appleton at the beginning of the month! We always have such a fun time getting together with other DSAW moms, grandmas, and female caregivers! Plus, DSAW pays for FREE appetizers!
K.I.T.E. Conference
DSAW-Fox Cities hosted its annual K.I.T.E. Conference in partnership with WisconSibs and SOAR! Experts presented on a variety of different topics, and many local resources and disability organizations had booths to share about how they serve individuals with Down syndrome!
World Down Syndrome Day Monkey Joe's Event
We celebrated WDSD in the most AWESOME way with a bounce event at Monkey Joe's! DSAW-Fox Cities provided pizza and juice boxes, and the kids got to jump and slide around the inflatables all evening. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!
Chippewa Valley
World Down Syndrome Day Event
Our Chippewa Valley chapter also hosted a World Down Syndrome Day event! We had a HUGE turnout with almost 250 people celebrating with DSAW! We got to bounce around at a trampoline park, have a pizza lunch, and then splash the afternoon away at a waterpark! It was a fun-filled, action-packed day. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
