Milwaukee
Parents attend the parent portion of our Sibling Workshop at our State Headquarters in West Allis.
Sibling Workshop
On November 18, DSAW and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Down Syndrome Clinic partnered to present a Sibling Workshop with Dr. Brian Skotko and Sue Levine. The workshop was for siblings who have a brother or sister with Down syndrome. There also was a session especially for parents with children of all ages, which covered how parents can help typically-abled siblings deal with questions, difficult life moments, negative feelings, and more. There were games, discussion groups, a pizza lunch, and more. Thank you so much to Dr. Skotko and Sue for facilitating this workshop!
Young Leaders Bootcamp
Bootcamp in November focused on carpentry! Self-advocates learned about several different tools and safety procedures, and then they had a chance to make projects with those tools! One night we made wooden bird houses, another night we made customized wooden signs, and our final project was working to build shelves for the DSAW office!
Bootcamp meets on Tuesday nights at 6pm. Join us in December for Holiday Baking month!
Cooking with the Kiddos
We had a large group this month at Cooking with the Kiddos! One night we made pumpkin bread, and another we made tacos and dessert quesadillas. Cooking with the Kiddos is a fun evening of family bonding, plus a free meal... what could be better?! Due to the holidays, we will only meet the first Wednesday of December - the 6th. Cook with us next month and sign up here!
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. Due to the holidays, we will only have playgroup on Tuesday, December 12 this month. Sign up here!
Young Leaders Academy
Self-Advocates joined us for our bi-weekly Young Leaders Academy only once in November, because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Every class involves a respite activity such as kickball or yoga, and then ends with an hour of employment-readiness curriculum. Self-Advocates are invited to join our class anytime. Come out to Young Leaders in December! We will only be hosting one session on Thursday, December 14 due to the holidays.
Tween Club
At Tween Club in November we made Thanksgiving turkeys and played balloon volleyball! We had 15 tweens join us this month. Tween Club in December will be on December 8. Sign up here!
Parent's Night Out
Each month DSAW parents, grandparents, and caregivers look forward to going to Club Paragon for a night of casual conversation and free appetizers. November was no different! We had a lovely group join us. Drop your child off at Tween Club on December 8 and join us for Parent's Night Out next month!
Grandparents Group
Grandparents who have a loved one with Down syndrome meet at our state office on the first Tuesday of each month. This group is growing, and we would love to have you there! Come see what it's all about on December 5.
Central WI
November Beach Party
This month, our Central WI chapter hosted a free November Beach Party in Rothschild! Over 100 people of all ages came out for our waterpark event, and we had so much fun splashing around and meeting new families!!
Mom's Coffee Date
DSAW-Central WI also hosted a Mom's Coffee Date in November at the new Vino Latte in Wausau! Several moms with children who have Down syndrome got together over coffee to talk and offer support.
St. Croix River Valley
Family Bowling Event
DSAW is beginning to expand its Parent Support Groups in the St. Croix River Valley. We hosted our third event in the area in November - a Family Bowling Day! About 30 people came out to spend time with other DSAW families and to enjoy an afternoon of bowling! Click here to join our Facebook group!
Green Bay
Playgroup
DSAW-Green Bay hosted its monthly playgroup at Kidz Town in November. Individuals with Down syndrome are free! Explore this awesome location with us on Saturday, December 2.
Parent's First Call Support Parent Training
Parents from around the state came to Green Bay to attend our Support Parent Training through our Parent's First Call Program. On November 4, 12 parents learned how to offer support for families who have just received a Down syndrome diagnosis. Thank you to Parent to Parent of Wisconsin for their continued partnership and to Journey Community Church for letting us use their beautiful space! Special thanks to Robin and Julie from P2P, to Emily from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and to all of the parents who joined us!
Mom's Night Out
We went up to Sturgeon Bay for our monthly Mom's Night Out at Door County Fire Co. in November! We enjoyed delicious food and an evening with other moms, aunts, grandmas, adult sisters, and female caregivers who have a loved one with Down syndrome. We will NOT have a Mom's Night Out in December due to the holidays.
Fox Cities
Teen FrienDS Club and Parent's Night Out
On the second Friday of every month, we host our Teen FrienDS Club at our office in Appleton in conjunction with a Parent's Night Out! Parents are invited to drop their teens off at our office for a night of games, snacks, movies, and friends; then they head over to a local restaurant for free appetizers and an evening of casual conversation! Join us on Friday, December 8!
Sheboygan
Parent's Night Out
DSAW-Sheboygan parents and grandparents got together for a casual night of conversation and free appetizers in November! This month we met in Fond du Lac at a pub right on the lake.
La Crosse
Parent's Night Out
Parents from our DSAW-COTH-GLA chapter hung out at Shenanigans in La Crosse in November. DSAW provided free appetizers, and several couples enjoyed fraternal support from other DSAW adults.
