DSAW finished 2020 strong! Several DSAW Chapters hosted socially-distant holiday events. DSAW and MADSS hosted virtual family nights for self advocates and families across the state and our regular DSAW Connects Programming wrapped up on December 18.
Holiday Events Around Wisconsin
Several DSAW Chapters celebrated the season in socially-distant ways! We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to spread holiday cheer this year even if our events looked different due to the pandemic. Thank you to all board members, volunteers, and families for making these events happen during challenging times.
DSAW- Southeastern WI Holiday Drive- Thru
On Saturday, December 12, DSAW opened its doors for a socially-distant holiday drive-thru! Local families drove up to the doors at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and received special goodie bags from DSAW. Santa and his elf also attended so kids and self-advocates could chat with them from their cars. It was so nice to see friends and families we haven’t seen since summer!
DSAW- Sheboygan Holiday Movie Night At Home
DSAW- Sheboygan wanted their local families to enjoy a holiday movie night from the comfort of their homes! Board members sent virtual gift cards to families so they could rent a holiday movie and enjoy a night in with their loved ones.
DSAW-Central WI Holiday Gift Pick Up
DSAW- Central WI invited local families to sign up for their Holiday Gift Pick Up! On December 12th, registered families pulled up to Wausau West High School and received gift bags, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer from the DSAW- Central Board members.
DSAW- La Crosse Rotary Lights Meet Up
DSAW- La Crosse members met up at the Rotary Lights Show for a night of socially-distant, holiday fun! Santa greeted participants in the parking lot and the cars caravanned through the giant light displays.
DSAW- Chippewa Valley Holiday Curbside Pick Up
At the start of the month, DSAW- Chippewa Valley put on a gift giving program called “Holiday Curbside Pick Up,” for local families who have children and loved ones with Down syndrome or related disabilities. Children and young siblings requested gifts in advance and then picked them up “drive-thru style” at Student Transit in Eau Claire.
DSAW- Green Bay Santa’s Rock N’ Lights
DSAW- Green Bay hosted a socially-distant meet up at a local light show called “Santa’s Rock N Lights.” DSAW families were gifted tickets and were able to all enjoy the light show on the same night.
DSAW Fall Programming Wrap Up
DSAW Connects Statewide Programming Fall Semester
DSAW Connects Statewide Programming wrapped up its fall session on December 18th! Read below to see how a few virtual classes went out with a bang!
Let’s Get Connected
Let’s Get Connected evening session enjoyed a day of karaoke fun to celebrate the last class! Participants sang along to all kinds of music from old school country to Christmas tunes.
Back to Work
Over the semester, this class has focused on being flexible. They concluded class with a discussion about rock brain vs flexible brain. Participants reviewed steps on how to stay flexible when faced with a challenge and completed a picture activity where they drew what they were expecting on one half of the paper, pretended to erase it and drew the new change on the other half.
Media Madness
Media Madness kept their last class strictly fun! Participants ended the semester dressed in festive clothing and played a special round of Christmas “Name that Tune.”
Life Skills & Laughter
Life Skills and Laughter celebrated the season with a virtual holiday party. The last class included festive holiday clothing, Christmas conversation, and lots of fun holiday games.
DSAW Free Fall Programs
Stream Team
Our close-knit group of Stream Team participants ended the semester with a virtual holiday party! We had a discussion about our favorite holiday movies and answered holiday-themed “Would You Rather” questions.
Prenatal Diagnosis Support Group
DSAW Prenatal Diagnosis Support Group is a totally non-judgmental support group for women who have recently received a DS diagnosis or gave birth to a child with Down syndrome. Group members have grown close over the last few months and have had many instances of women returning to the group after giving birth just to enjoy their community. The group is always accepting new members and hopes to grow in 2021.
7 Days of DSAW: Holiday Pop Up Classes
Grateful & Thankful
“7 Days of DSAW” Holiday Pop Up Classes kicked off on December 21! The first class was called “Grateful & Thankful.” Participants watched a video called “25 Reasons to be Grateful” and then shared their own reasons with the group. Participants also discussed why it is important to spend time acknowledging and being thankful for people or things. The class was ended with a teamwork emoji holiday song guessing game.
“7 Days of DSAW” runs until December 31st. Classes are daily from 11-12 PM.
Monthly Statewide Virtual Family Nights
DSAW December Disney Trivia Night
DSAW is hosting monthly virtual family events throughout fall and winter! This month, we got together for December Disney Trivia!
This virtual family night was very well attended and so much fun! 28 families and self-advocates logged on to the Zoom call to answer questions related to Disney movies.
Next month’s family night will be a virtual Karaoke Night on January 21st!
See You Next Year: DSAW Connects Statewide Programming Winter/ Spring 2021
DSAW’s new semester of DSAW Connects, new pop up classes, and small group options all start on January 4th 2021! DSAW Connects: Statewide Winter/ Spring 2021 Programs provide multiple types of curriculum and activities for individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities across Wisconsin. The winter/spring 2021 programming runs for 6 months, January 4th through June 4th. Courses are geared for ages 12 and up, although individuals of all ages are welcome to try the classes.
Meet the DSAW Connects Teachers
DSAW Connects is a huge success and it’s thanks to DSAW’s brilliant Family Services staff and teachers. Please watch the video below to get to know the incredible instructors you see on your Zoom screen every week!
