Milwaukee
World Down Syndrome Day Waterpark Event
We had a blast celebrating World Down Syndrome Day a few days early at the waterpark! Southeastern WI families gathered at the Ingleside Hotel & Waterpark for a day full of fun! Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!
New Parent Breakfast
This month we hosted a New Parent Breakfast at our headquarters! This provided the opportunity for fellow parents to make connections, learn about DSAW programs and services, and hear about the other important resources in the area! We got to do this all over a yummy breakfast. Thank you to the families that joined us for a morning of learning and fun!
Ben’s Cycle Indoor Century Ride
Thank you to our amazing friends at Ben's Cycle/Milwaukee Bicycle Company Racing team for hosting an Indoor Century Ride to raise funds for DSAW! Teams rode 100 miles to benefit DSAW and raised over $4,000!
Family Movie Event
We ended the month with a sensory-friendly, private screening of Wonder Park at the Marcus Ridge Cinema in New Berlin! We rented out an entire theater for our families, and the sound was played lower and lights were on brighter. Thank you to all the families who joined us for this screening!
Digitability Class
Our Digitability class had another successful month in March! This new course is an award-winning employment-readiness program used to prepare students with special needs for today’s tech-driven workplaces. Young adults meet Mondays and Wednesdays through May at the state office. Learn more here!
Relationships Class
We had another great month of our course on relationships for individuals with special needs. Throughout the course, we have been learning about personal boundaries, dating, self-defense, stranger danger, and safety. Learn more here.
Nutrition & Wellness Class
This month we continued our two sessions of the Nutrition and Wellness Class offered through DSAW and DSAW-Family Services. The class meets twice a week throughout the winter and participants will learn about personal health and well-being, exercise, and healthy cooking. This month students made healthier versions of two yummy foods - tacos and brownies!
Life Skills Bootcamp
In March we talked all about self advocacy, self-advocacy skills, and why they are important. Stay tuned for April’s topic, Register Here!
Coffee Club Coffee Club is hosted at our state office on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. This acts as a great opportunity for DSAW parents and their loved ones to meet other families while enjoying coffee.
Motor Skills Playgroup
Our Motor Skills Playgroup meets every second and fourth Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30! 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. We also offer free music therapy in conjunction with playgroup! Sign up to join us!
Young Leaders Academy
Our Young Leaders Academy at our West Allis office meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month. We also have a Young Leaders Class at our Northside location in Fox Point! This location meets the first and second Fridays of the month from 7 - 9 PM! Classes start off with an energetic game and end with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime.
Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month, DSAW transforms into a hoppin' place for tweens to hang out! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, April 12th. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. At next month’s Tween Club, we have peers from the Delafield Family Tae Kwon Do Champions coming to teach us some tae kwon do! Sign up!
Parent's Night Out
Each month, DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers get together for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. We meet every second Friday of the month at Cleveland Pub, in conjunction with Tween Club! Come join us for one of our favorite nights of the month on Friday, April 12th!
DADs Meeting Fathers and male caregivers are welcome to join us the first Thursday of every month to come together and support each other. We discuss upcoming events, listen to speakers, recruit volunteers, and talk about our kids while enjoying food and drinks at the New Berlin Ale House.
Central Wisconsin
World Down Syndrome Day Party
DSAW-Central WI partnered with GiGi's Playhouse Wausau to provide an afternoon of bounce houses, games, food and photo prop fun in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day! Thank you to all the families who came out to join us for this fun day!
Parent Coffee Date
Parents gathered for coffee and conversation at Vino Latte on World Down Syndrome Day! Parents, grandparents, and caregivers attended this casual social. We always enjoy this time gathering with fellow parents.
Family Night Out
DSAW board member and parent, Kris Halvorson, graciously opened her home for a fun family night this month! Families enjoyed pizza and conversation with other families who have a loved one with Down syndrome.
Chippewa Valley
World Down Syndrome Day Party
DSAW-Chippewa Valley families celebrated World Down Syndrome Day at Action City and Chaos Waterpark! We started the day bouncing around at the trampoline park followed by a pizza buffet! We ended this fun packed day at the waterpark! Thank you to all the families who joined us to celebrate!
La Crosse
World Down Syndrome Day Event
DSAW-La Crosse Families gathered for a Sock Hop themed Celebration for World Down Syndrome Day! The afternoon included a yummy lunch and a guest performance by Applause Dance Academy. Families even got to join in on the dancing and do the Cha Cha Slide! Andrew Gerbitz from Andrew’s Voice made an appearance and talked about his journey! We also got to enjoy some delicious cake. One of our favorite parts of this day is the famous wall of extra chromosome posters - this year we had 34 wonderful faces adorning it!
Parent’s Night Out
We always enjoy Parent’s Night Out! This month we met at Features Sports Bar and Grill in West Salem for a casual evening of food and conversation. Our next Parent’s Night Out will be held on May 18th at Fiesta Mexicana! RSVP here!
Green Bay
Playgroup
DSAW-Green Bay held their playgroup at Get Air Trampoline Park this month! They offered a dedicated time just for jumpers with special needs. We will be at the trampoline park again in April. Sign up here!
Mom’s Night Out
This month moms, aunts, grandmas, and female caregivers gathered at the Cannery for a Moms Night Out! We always enjoy this time socializing with fellow DSAW women.
WDSD Bowling Party
We celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with a bowling party! Green Bay families gathered at the Gutter for an afternoon filled with bowling, pizza, and celebration! Thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun event to celebrate our loved ones with Down syndrome!
MADSS
Mom’s Take 5
MADSS has a Mom’s Night Out on the 5th of every month! This month, moms gathered at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. We love this time for moms to enjoy conversation with one another over appetizers and drinks.
Dynamic Duals: DS-ASD
MADSS & GiGi’s Playhouse sponsored Dynamic Duals this month! It is a group for families with a child with DS-ASD or other significant behavioral challenges. It’s a time to connect and have fun, share successes and resources, brainstorm ideas and strategies for challenges. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Wendy Kaplan at: info@MADSS.org.
Self-Advocate Hockey Outing
Self-advocates had a great time at the Madison Capitols game! The night was filled with cheering and laughing at the ice arena!
Parent’s Night Out
We kicked off the month with a Parent's Night Out at Vintage Brewing Co! Parents, grandparents, adult siblings and caregivers joined us for a casual evening of conversation and good eats.
Family Bowling and Pizza Party
Families enjoyed a bowling and pizza party at RiversEdge Bowl! We had tons of fun bowling and eating yummy pizza with other MADSS families!
Playgroup
This month we had our first playgroup in Janesville! Parents had the opportunity to discuss specific goals and needs for the children with CI Therapy staff while the kiddos played!
Day with the Experts: Down Syndrome
This event was hosted in partnership with Gigi’s Playhouse Madison as a part of the Waisman Center Day with the Experts series. The series is sponsored by the Friends of the Waisman Center. Attendees learned about advances in research and clinic services as well as hear from a panel of experts consisting of individuals with Down syndrome and their family members.
Gallery 21
We spent the evening of World Down Syndrome Day celebrating increased awareness, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. This year’s theme was “Be a Dreamer” and featured photographs of local kids and adults with Down syndrome doing the things they love. Thank you to Geoffrey Mikol, photographer and owner of River Bend Gallery!
WDSD Movie at the Library
The Madison Public Library - Meadowridge hosted a movie day for our friends with Down syndrome and their families in honor of WDSD. We enjoyed pizza and snacks along with the movie!
Dad’s Night Out
Fathers, grandfathers, and male caregivers met for a casual evening of conversation and food with other MADSS dads at Toby’s Supper Club this month! We always enjoy this time to catch up.
Library Storytime
This month we went to Hedberg Public Library in Janesville to listen to stories from the Children’s Librarian. The kids had so much fun engaging in these interactive stories.
North Central
World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
Families gathered to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day at the Clara R. McKenna Aquatic Center! Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of swimming and celebration! We even enjoyed some ice cream thanks to Culver’s! We had so much fun celebrating one of our favorite days of the year!
Sheboygan
WDSD Waterpark Event
DSAW-Sheboygan families enjoyed an early World Down Syndrome Day celebration at Breaker Bay Waterpark! This was such a great escape from the winter weather. The kids splashed in the water and parents enjoyed socializing with each other. Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating with this fun day at the waterpark!
Fox Cities
Teen FrienDS Club
This month our Teen FrienDS Club had a zentastic time at “Be” doing yoga! Thanks to the instructors for leading our teens through a great class!
KITE Conference
DSAW-Fox Cities partnered with SOAR Fox Cities, WisconSibs, and the Autism Society of Wisconsin to host a mini conference for parents, adult siblings, self-advocates and professionals. This was a great opportunity to learn about disability-related topics through breakout sessions and to connect with local community resources.
Luv 2 Play Event
Babies, toddlers, and school aged children with Down syndrome attended a playdate at Luv 2 Play Indoor Playground! The kids enjoyed escaping the winter weather at the indoor playground. We also enjoyed pizza!
World Down Syndrome Day Party
Families celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with a fun filled afternoon at Monkey Joe’s! Kiddos got to play in the inflatable play area and enjoy pizza while celebrating one of our favorite days!
