Milwaukee
Monkey Joe's Party
On May 12, DSAW families from Southeastern Wisconsin got together at Monkey Joe's in Waukesha for a morning of jumping, sliding fun! We enjoyed an hour at Monkey Joe's before it opened so we could have the place to ourselves! Come out next month for our Family Activity Day -- we're going to Miller Park for a Brewer game on June 24!
Thank you to Pat Laws and the Wisconsin Association of Mutual Insurance Companies for their donation of more than $1,200!
Sibling Events
Last month we also hosted two events for kids who have a sibling with Down syndrome! One session was designed for kids ages 9-14; they made personal pizzas, played games, and learned more about Down syndrome. The second session was for kids ages 4-8. The younger siblings read books, did a craft, and talked about their siblings together! Stay tuned for more programming that focuses specifically on siblings!!
Circles Class
In May we also launched a Circles Class for individuals ages 12 and up. The Circles program teaches students how relationships can be formed and maintained according to the social norms & social boundaries of our day and age. Our newest DSAW staff member Erin Miller teaches the class with her job coach, Mary West. We're beginning a second session in July! If your child could benefit from learning about personal boundaries and relationships, register here!
Young Leaders Bootcamp
We spent this month at Bootcamp gardening! We planted seeds, worked in the DSAW community garden, and started growing blackberries, basil, raspberries, and more!
Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in June to learn about outdoor and camping skills!
Cooking with the Kiddos
This month at Cooking we made super yummy personal pizzas! Cooking meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month at our state office in West Allis. Sign up to cook with us in June!
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. In June, we will start offering FREE music therapy during our regular playgroup session. Playgroup runs from 9:30-11:30am, and we'll have music therapy from 10-10:45. 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. In May we launched Young Leaders on the Northside! They meet on the first and second Friday nights. 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. Come out to Young Leaders Academy in June in West Allis or in Fox Point!
Tween Club
The second Friday night of the month is always our favorite since we have Tween Club! This month was right before Mother's Day, so we decorated flower pots to give to our moms on Sunday! Next month's Tween Club will be on Friday, June 8. Drop your 10+ year old off for a night of games, snacks, activities, and more. Sign up to join us!
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! In May, we switched up our location and went to Cleveland Pub. We loved it so much that we're going there again in June! Come hang out with us on Friday, June 8th.
Family Movie Night
Every fourth Friday of the month, we invite families to a movie night at our office in West Allis! Parents are invited to stay with their kids, or drop them off for a night of respite. In May we watched Paddington. What a great movie! Watch Paddington 2 with us next month :)
Green Bay
Monthly Playgroup!
DSAW-Green Bay hosted a joint playgroup with DSAW-Sheboygan. Families met up at Henry Schuette Park in Manitowoc for a morning of fun!! Join us next month at Optimist Park!
Mom's Night out
Our awesome Green Bay Moms came out to Hagemeister Park for an evening of appetizers and conversation. We had a great time! Join us next month at Luigi's Pizza Palace!
Family Zoo Day
Last but most definitely not least, DSAW-Green Bay families met up at the DeYoung Family Zoo in Michigan on Memorial Day! We had a birthday party for all the animals in the zoo and even got to feed and pet some critters in the petting zoo!
Fox Cities
Circles Class
DSAW-Fox Cities Circles class on Friday nights was a huge success! During April and May, teens and young adults got to come together to learn about safety and social boundaries! We plan to offer this class annually.
New Parent Support Group We also held another New Parent Support Group at the DSAW-Fox Cities office! This group is a kid-free zone where parents or caregivers can discuss their feelings in a non-judgmental environment. Stay tuned for future dates.
Sheboygan
Above & Beyond Children's Museum Field Trip
May was our third trip to the Children's Museum for Special Needs Night! The exhibits were adapted, sound was turned low, and the museum was closed to the general public. What an awesome field trip!! Join us in June for this monthly outing!!
All Abilities Dance Class
We are having a kickin' time getting moving at our All Abilities Dance Class at In Motion Dance Studio! Dancers of all ages and experience came out to learn about proper stretching techniques and foundational dance moves. Students are invited to join the class at any time. We still have 3 sessions left! Sign up today!
North Central
Family Bowling Outing
DSAW-North Central gathered at Hodag Lanes for a family friendly afternoon of fun! We had an AWESOME turn out for this event!!! Strikes all around! This was our first event in Rhinelander, and we can't wait to continue offering programs and events to families in this area of Wisconsin!
La Crosse
Self-Advocate Movie Outing
Our self-advocates had a great time at an outing to the Rivoli Theatre & Pizzeria! We got together for lunch and a showing of Sherlock Gnomes! Stay tuned for details on a self-advocate picnic in August!
All Abilities Day On May 12, the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin- COTH-Greater La Crosse Area and the La Crosse Area Autism Foundation partnered to host an "All Abilities Day" (formerly "Light It Up Blue for Autism") at the La Crosse Wellness Center. Local therapy providers, disability resources, and businesses that have adaptive lessons were present to tell attendees how they serve individuals with Down syndrome/other special needs! A special thank you to the La Crosse Wellness Center for providing the facility, ALL of our vendors who came and the wonderful volunteers from DSAW and LAF that made this event a success.
Parent's Night Out
On May 20, DSAW-COTH-Greater La Crosse Area enjoyed a beautiful night on the patio at Fiesta Mexicana. It was great to see some new faces join the fun! Parent's Night Out events are a great way to share information with other parents, brag about the accomplishments of our loved ones with Ds, support one another with issues they might be facing and to have a nice out with friends. Join us for our next PNO, July 21st at Vernon Vineyards!
Chippewa Valley
Parents Night Out
Our Chippewa Valley families got together at 29 Pines at the end of this month for a night out! We had a great time and excellent food! Make sure to sign up for our other upcoming events!
Central WI
All Abilities Play Date
Last month we got together at the Greenheck field house for an all abilities playdate! We had music, snacks, games and even a bounce house!!!
Mom's Coffee Date
We also hosted a Mom's coffee date at Vino Latte! Moms, grandmas, female caregivers and siblings all got together to enjoy some coffee and conversation with other women who have a loved one with Down syndrome.
Rock County
We are so excited about our partnership with the Madison Area Down Syndrome Society!
In May, MADSS and Heartland Church, in partnership with Selfless Ambition, hosted A Night to Remember prom for teens and adults with special needs. What a night!
Join us for a Beloit Snappers Baseball Game on August 12th! Stay tuned for details about a family mini golf event, pool party, summer picnic and more!!
