Looking Back on March 2023

March was another busy month filled with several events as we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day statewide! Each chapter organized and hosted a WDSD event where families gathered to show their love, support, and appreciation of their loved ones who rock an extra 21st chromosome! Read on to see how DSAW and families across the state celebrated World Down Syndrome Day this year!

Central - World Down Syndrome Day Movie Night

DSAW Central celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with a movie night at Cedar Creek Cinema in Rothschild, watching the new movie Champions! The movie is about a former minor-league basketball coach who’s given a court order to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Despite his doubts, he soon realizes that together they can go further than they ever imagined. It was a perfect way to acknowledge those we love with Down syndrome !

 

South Central - Gallery 21

DSAW South Central hosted Gallery 21, a night featuring photographs of loved ones with Down syndrome showcasing them in action! The evening was a huge success with over 150 attending the event, which included staff and volunteers!

 

Fox Cities - WI Herd Game

DSAW Fox Cities celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with an exciting Herd basketball game! DSAW was selected as the official Non-Profit of the night and attendees within the DSAW Fox Cities group got to participate in a post-game picture on the Wisconsin Herd court!

 

Chippewa Valley - Celebration at Action City

There was a large turn out for the DSAW Chippewa Valley WDSD event on Sunday, March 26! About 150 people got together at Action City in Eau Claire for all kinds of fun, followed by a pizza lunch, prizes, and water park adventures. Nice to see so many happy families!

 

Sheboygan – Swim Party

DSAW Sheboygan celebrated World Down Syndrome day with a fun afternoon of swimming at the Sheboygan Falls Aquatic Center! It was great to see everyone who joined us! We appreciate all the families who came to recognize WDSD with us!

 

Southeastern – Water Park Party

The DSAW Southeastern Pool Party was a big splash! We had 266 people join us at The Springs Waterpark at the Ingleside Hotel as we celebrated our loved ones with Down syndrome! We’re grateful for everyone who came and helped make it a successful day!

La crosse – “Under the Sea” themed party

DSAW La Crosse made a splash for World Down Syndrome Day with an “Under the Sea” theme party! We had a fun day with crafts, treats, and games!

 

Green Bay – Celebration at the Kroc Center

DSAW Green Bay celebrated World Down Syndrome Day at the Kroc Center with a pool party! We had a great turn out and had a blast spending time together as a community!

What's new in 2023? Looking forward to a great year ahead!

Dear Friend,

You can continue to help our friends with Down syndrome and other disabilities to live the BEST LIVES EVER in the New Year. We are looking forward to 2023 and to the future of DSAW! Here are just a couple of the exciting initiatives that we are working on to continue to reach people across the state of Wisconsin.

Expansion
As demand for our programs and services continues to grow, we are hiring more staff and expanding more services across all of our chapters! In 2023, we will be launching new programs, classes, and events around the state. Stay tuned

Think Ability Wisconsin
We can't wait to ramp up the work we are doing with our 350+ partner network on the new Think Ability Wisconsin (TAW) initiative in 2023! TAW will address workforce issues for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in counties across our state. This project will include the development of an online transition resource center; the creation and expansion of digital learning platforms to teach job skills; the expansion of on-the-job training and placement programs; the expansion of workforce development and wraparound services across WI; the formation of partnerships and coalitions; targeted awareness campaigns to change perceptions of people with IDD in the workforce; employer education to increase job access and expectations; and more! Click here to learn more about Think Ability Wisconsin.

Exciting things for our loved ones with Down syndrome and other disabilities are coming in 2023! When you donate to DSAW, you support the futures of our friends with disabilities.

Thank you for supporting the BEST LIVES EVER for people in Wisconsin in 2022. We can't wait to see what we can do together in 2023. Happy New Year!

PS - Don't wait! Consider DSAW in your year-end giving today. Our friends need you!

 

Annual Appeal: Best Life Ever

Please consider a year-end donation to DSAW

When you donate to the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, you fund life-changing programs and services for people with Down syndrome and related disabilities of all ages across Wisconsin! You can help them live the BEST LIFE EVER. You've heard about some of the amazing services that DSAW offers families like the Parent's First Call program, Aging Services, and Employment Services.


George and his family have been involved with DSAW for over 15 years. Over the years, George has attended DSAW community events, Tween Club, summer camps, and has learned to self-advocate by attending several of DSAW’s online classes.


He loves the circle of friends he has met and enjoys typical teen activities like attending dances, sleepovers, watching movies, or just hanging out (while playing on their phones). Not only has George made wonderful friends but his mother has as well.


Kristi, George's mother shared, “DSAW has been a godsend to us. I don’t know what we would have done without this organization. DSAW has given George and our family such strong fraternal support and a community that is always there to help lift us up when needed.”


Please consider DSAW in your year-end giving. You can support people like George to live and enjoy the BEST LIFE EVER!

Annual Appeal: Best Friends Ever

Please consider a year-end donation to DSAW

DSAW touches thousands of lives across Wisconsin every year through programs, services, education, resources, and support. One of our service departments is DSAW’s Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), which provides programming like group instruction courses, virtual education, daily living skills training, and small groups in the Milwaukee, Madison, and Northeast WI regions (coming soon to new areas of the state!).

DSAW’s HCBS Small Groups provide an opportunity for self advocates to join together with 2-4 peers and explore their communities and interests! This is a terrific way for them to make wonderful friendships and learn about their communities.

Brian and Matthew enjoy spending time together and engaging in a wide variety of activities, which would not be possible without this program. Some of their favorite activities are going to the water park, bowling, and the zoo. They both anxiously watch the activity calendar each month and look forward to the next adventure.

In addition, DSAW staff support them in the community to learn important skills like using money, paying for services, eating out, and more. These programs have helped both Brian and Matthew become more social and less isolated. Brian and Matthew have formed such a strong bond that they now consider each other the BEST FRIENDS EVER!

You can provide those with Down syndrome the opportunity to meet their Best Friend Ever by making a donation to DSAW this holiday season.

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Syble Hopp student featured in Times Square for Down Syndrome Awareness Month

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Our friend Preston Taylor was featured on screens in Times Square on Sept 17, 2022, thanks to National Down Syndrome Society! The video presentation, featuring 500 self-advocates from across the country, and was live-streamed on their Facebook page at 8:30AM that same day. Our friend Norman from the Milwaukee area will be featured as well! To watch the whole story, follow the link:

Syble Hopp student featured in Times Square for Down Syndrome Awareness Month | WLUK (fox11online.com)

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Local teenager with Down Syndrome wins body building pro card!

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Our friend Fiona Daniels took home second place in two categories at her first national bodybuilding competition! Fiona is also the first teenager with Down syndrome in the country to earn a pro card in bodybuilding. Congratulations Fiona!! For the full story follow the link below:

Local teenager with Down Syndrome takes 2nd in national bodybuilding competition (news8000.com)

 

2022 Giving Tuesday - Best Community Ever

After a long few days of buying and spending, today we focus on giving back to our communities. To show you the power of your gift, we'd like to tell you about our Parents First Call (PFC) program.

Katie, knowing she had a very unique situation with her pregnancy at age 20; prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis; several medical complications; and single parenting, decided to join DSAW’s Parents First Call program. Katie was introduced to a strong network of families and advocates near her community in La Crosse, WI. She had to learn quickly how to build a support network to ensure her and her baby's needs were met.

Katie wanted to support other parents with similar circumstances. So over the past few years, she has been connected with several parents through the Parent's First Call support parent program and through social media platforms with DSAW's La Crosse Chapter. Connecting with another parent who has a child with Down syndrome can be one of the most helpful resources a parent will have – it can help make their journey a little easier. DSAW trains support parents and matches them with new and expectant parents who are looking for resources and support. 

Katie has enjoyed being a support parent: “These connections provide families a sense of knowing, community, and empowerment through peer support, information sharing, and resource connection. I am so grateful for DSAW and the PFC program.”

Having the BEST COMMUNITY EVER for DSAW’s families is so important.

When you make a gift to DSAW, you offer support to families in the moments following their diagnosis. You provide them with the Best Community Ever through the support parent network of DSAW's Parent's First Call program. Will you give that gift of hope to a family this Giving Tuesday? You can even designate your donation to a specific DSAW chapter!

2022 Giving Tuesday Best Support Network Ever

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday, a day set aside to give to organizations that impact our lives. When you donate to the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, you fund life-changing programs and services that help our friends and families through every step of their life.

Dementia was pretty early stage. Barb and sister Kathi from this year.

Several years ago, Kathi started noticing signs of slow-progressing Alzheimer's disease in her sister Barb. As Barb's Alzheimer's disease progressed, Kathi gravitated toward DSAW programs and services related to aging and Down syndrome and found the BEST SUPPORT NETWORK EVER!


DSAW’s Aging Services have been expanding programs in order to better serve individuals with Down syndrome and their families with a number of educational opportunities, resources, support groups, and more. In 2022 we launched the Aging & Caregiver Group, a place where families and caregivers can connect with others to ask questions, get advice, and find the support they need as their loved one with Down syndrome ages. Click here to learn more information or signup for more support.

Photo of Barb with her sisters Kathi and Meg in 2015

Having DSAW’s programs and services like the Aging and Caregiver Group helps families like Barb’s not feel alone and gain support from others on a similar journey. Kathi expressed, “There has been very little out there for middle-aged and older adults with Down syndrome and for individuals with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease (or any intellectual or developmental disability and dementia). DSAW was one of the first organizations to really start collecting and disseminating this kind of information and now, finally, other organizations are doing the same. And, as I said, just sharing experiences with others who "get it" helps emotionally and psychologically.”

When you make a gift to DSAW on Giving Tuesday, you fund programs and services that not only support participants but their families across Wisconsin!

2022 Giving Tuesday Best Job Ever

Every year, you make it possible for DSAW to serve 5,500 people with Down syndrome, related disabilities, and their families across Wisconsin through the provision of services, education, resources, and support. Will you commit to making a gift to DSAW to support these life-changing programs? Giving Tuesday is just a week away - November 29th!

In the spring of 2022, Joshua (21 years old) started working with DSAW as he transitioned from the 18 to 21-Year Old Transition Program at Verona Area High School. He started working closely with DSAW job coaches Nina and Tricia, helping him be successful at the two BEST JOBS EVER, working at Dahmen’s and Kwik Trip in his community. The team meets every few weeks to discuss his progress and any new phases.

With each job, Joshua has different duties and tasks. At Dahmen's restaurant, he vacuums the ballroom and golf simulator rooms, cleans tables and chairs, and wipes down menus. He also sweeps off the deck and wraps silverware in napkins.

At Kwik Trip, Joshua is known as the "Muffin Man." He is in charge of refilling the muffin bins. He also wraps and labels bars with price stickers, stocks buns, separates cheese, and cleans around the store. See Joshua in action at Kwik Trip.

Joshua has grown more comfortable at his jobs and is becoming more independent. His mother Kate shared, “As parents of children with Down syndrome know, every stage of helping your child grow is an adventure for you, always having to advocate with new people and new philosophies.”

When Joshua is not busy working, he loves listening to music, dancing, and playing Special Olympics golf with his Dad. He also loves spending time with his twin brother and older sister.

DSAW staff works with individuals with Down syndrome and related disabilities in their jobs, homes, and communities. We work with all ages on daily living skills, job training, goal setting, and so much more. 

When you make a gift to DSAW on Giving Tuesday, you fund a wide range of life-changing services that support thousands of people like Joshua across Wisconsin.

Looking Back on September 2022

Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month! For now, we are looking back at a busy September! We hosted four of our eight Down Syndrome Awareness Walks last month and had a great time celebrating our Down syndrome community. Our fall programs began, and participants were busy with Skills Training Academy, Rad Rec Events, and more! Read on to learn all about it!

Down Syndrome Awareness Walks

This September, we had four of our Down Syndrome Awareness Walks in Central Wisconsin, Green Bay, Chippewa Valley, and the Statewide Down Syndrome Awareness Walk at the Milwaukee County Zoo! Each year, DSAW hosts eight Down Syndrome Awareness Walks across the state of Wisconsin, drawing more than 8,000 walkers, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and partners across the State under one collective mission – to raise awareness and promote inclusion, diversity, and acceptance of people with Down syndrome in our communities and in our lives. We are immensely proud of the success of our Walks this year — check out photos from the four September Walks below!

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Summit

Our President and CEO Dawn Nuoffer appeared at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's Wisconsin Economic Summit to speak about Building a Robust Workforce. Dawn emphasized that many statistics demonstrate how incorporating more people with disabilities into the workforce benefits everyone!

Skills Training Academy

Our fall programs began at the start of September, and Skills Training Academy in Southeastern WI is happy to be back! Skills Training Academy participants are using the My Full Life curriculum platform to track and log their progress on skill-building in the following areas: Connections, Fun & Talents, Wellness, Getting Around, My Place, Community Engagement, Earning My Way, and Lifelong Learning.

Wellness 360

Wellness 360 also returned in Southeastern Wisconsin this September! This course works on Daily Living Skills while bringing a wide range of recreational activities to people of all abilities ages 18+. So far, Wellness 360 has visited a honey farm, play pickleball, made fresh apple pies, gone hiking, and more!

Small Groups

Our Respite Small Groups are having a great time this fall! In September, we went mini golfing and played billiards! One of our Friday groups also joined the Rad Rec Events group for a dance party!

Rad Rec Events

Participants in our Rad Rec Events series have been very busy — going bowling, watching DC League of Super-Pets at the theater, painting Kindness Rocks, attending Glow Night and competing in a rowing contest to raise money for adults with disabilities, apple picking at Apple Holler and dancing at Lifetime Fitness followed by lunch at the Olive Garden. Everyone is making friends and having fun in the community!

Looking Back on August 2022

 Happy Down Syndrome Awareness Month! From farm tours to fundraising to fun outdoor activities, August was a full and successful month with virtual and in-person events! A great time to be outside before it gets too cold, several crowd-pleasing locations were reserved for DSAW family and friends.  Read on to find out more about the events that were enjoyed throughout Wisconsin this August!

State

Fall program registration opened in August! Our DSAW Connects virtual programming provides fun and educational curriculum for the entire state, and our in-person programs and services are available in Southeastern WI and South Central WI! Information about our Fall Programs is listed in our website: https://www.dsaw.org/programsfall2022

 

2022 Pip & Homer Golf Classic

This year, the 26th Annual Pip & Homer Golf Classic outing was held at the award-winning, Club Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc. With a newly redesigned course and clubhouse, owner Tyler Morse was excited to be able to host the event this year. Having a daughter with Down syndrome himself, he’s very passionate about DSAW's mission. The day was spent on the beautiful course, filled with fun games, chances to win big prizes, delicious food, and a beautiful program. Tom Pipines, retired Fox sports anchor, and Steve “The Homer” True, sportscaster for ESPN, helped to put on this wonderful, successful event!

Sheboygan Mini Golf & Walk Fundraiser

DSAW Sheboygan kicked off the the first Awareness Walk of the season August 6th. The Sheboygan Mini Golf & Walk fundraiser was held at Harbor Pointe Miniature Golf with kid-friendly balloon artists and grab and go snacks. Through all the support and generosity of those in the community, we were able to raise $18,422 that will be used to support families in need, send new and expectant parent packs at no cost to parents who received a Down syndrome diagnosis, and continue to be able to provide DSAW Sheboygan’s services.

Fox Cities Summer Park Meet Up:  Erb Park Playground, Appleton WI

The Erb Park Playground in Appleton offers family fun for local kids and adults! With slacklines and climbing features, interactive music, cornhole, ping pong tables, tennis courts, and more the park provided provided a day of fun for DSAW families to gather and enjoy a variety of activities and relaxation.

Green Bay

Aug Fundraiser: Happy Joe's Pizza has been a wonderful supporter of DSAW-Green Bay over the years! On Thursday, August 25th, Happy Joe’s held a fundraiser to support DSAW Green Bay. Customers could donate to DSAW by dining in or ordering on-line for carry out or delivery. When placing an order on August 25, customers just needed to mention DSAW-Green Bay and Happy Joe’s would donate 20% of the sale to the Green Bay Chapter.

The Billboard Winner for the Green Bay Walk was announced in August.  Congrats to last year's top fundraising team Dexter & Chromies! The billboard was featured on highway 172E by the Oneida St. exit and ran until Sept. 24th.

Sheboygan

HUGE SHOUT OUT to the Sheboygan North Golden Raiders Football. The Golden Raiders presented a check for $500 to DSAW-Sheboygan. The 50/50 raffle proceeds from the Aug 19th game were donated to DSAW-Sheboygan. We would like to thank the parents, students, and our community for helping the Football program raise funds for the Sheboygan chapter.

South Central

Monday Meet Up
Rotary Botanical Gardens

EXPLORE!, a new recurring event happening every other Monday, is about discovering the world around us! Families visit a variety of locations in multiple counties across South Central WI to expand their knowledge of our surrounding communities. The first Monday of August, participants visited the Rotary Botanical gardens where they learned signs and sang some songs. The event, in Janesville, was free to individuals with down syndrome and related disabilities. 

Green County at DeVoe Farm in Monroe

Our second EXPLORE! event was in Green County at the DeVoe Farm in Monroe. Participants got to experience farm life firsthand at this 2,000-acre working dairy family farm feeding calves, gathering eggs, and meeting the livestock. The tour included peacocks, guineas, ducks, pigs, goats, a donkey, and snacks and goodie bags for kids!

La Crosse

Family Picnic at Trane All Abilities Park
A family fun picnic at Trane All Abilities Park was held August 20th from 11am-4pm. The All Abilities Trane Park is an all-inclusive park with various playground structures for individuals of all ages and abilities. The park boasts play equipment exhaustively researched and carefully selected for its ability to accommodate everyone – including those with limited mobility and special needs.

Looking Back on July 2022

We’re looking back at July! It’s been a busy month! We’ve hosted meet-up events, social events, and fundraising events across the state! Our EXTRAordinary Camps have been taking full advantage of the summer and celebrating Carnival Week and Shark Week, among other themes. We now have 10 small groups running every week in Southeastern WI! Read on for all the details!

Fox Cities Park Meet-Up

DSAW-Fox Cities had our 2nd summer park meet-up at the Sherwood Splash Pad this month! It was a bit cool for the kids at the splash pad, but everyone still had a great time. Our next meet-up is on August 20th at Erb Park!

South Central Small Group!

DSAW-South Central has started our first-ever in-person small group, and they are quite the musical talents! We are excited to continue the growth of our services in the greater Madison area. Email katieg@dsawfamilyservices.org if you are interested in more information on what’s coming to South Central WI!

South Central Golf Outing

DSAW-South Central also held an extremely successful Golf Outing this July at The Oaks Golf Course. Golfers had the chance to beat WKOW's senior chief meteorologist Bob Lindmeier on a hole to be entered into a prize drawing. You can read more about it at WKOW 27! It was a wonderful day of golfing in support of DSAW -- special thanks to all of our staff and volunteers that made it possible and to our attendees and sponsors for their support!

Southeastern WI Down Home BBQ

This July, we hosted our annual Down Home BBQ at DSAW HQ in West Allis. It was a great summer day filled with food, music, games, water fun, crafts, and more! We are so grateful to our volunteers that made the day run smoothly!

Southeastern WI Milwaukee Milkmen Game

This month, DSAW had a perfect day to be featured as the Milwaukee Milkmen non-profit of the game! We gathered at Franklin Field to watch the Milkmen take on the Sioux City Explorers, and our friend Nate threw out the first pitch and got it right over home plate!

EXTRAordinary Adventures Camp!

Our North Camp has been filled with lots of fun and learning! We’ve had field trips to the science museum, the beach, wetland reserve, and bowling! Participants have been making paper, lemon volcanoes, painting, swimming, and much more.

We had so much fun at MKE camp this month! Week one in July was Carnival Week where all participants got to play different carnival games, make their own snow cones, and got to be apart of an Improv performance with Bob Orvis. Week two for this month was Shark Week where they learned about all different kinds of sharks and summer safety, learned about big emotions, played pin the fin on the shark, and played shark volleyball. Week three was Games Galore where they learned about respect, decision-making skills, and got to play a lot of different games. The last week for this month is Water Week where they got to have a water day at DSAW, water gun painting, water balloon fight, sponge relay races, played duck duck splash, and so much more!

East Camp is having SO much fun playing games, celebrating Carnival Week & Shark Week, and our second field trip to the waterpark! We invited in some new friends this month to our camp and taught them all about teamwork and being a good sport!

Rad Rec Events

We have been having a blast in our Rad Rec events which included Improv with Bob Orvitz, a Chinooks baseball game, swimming at Muskego Park and at Ingleside indoor waterpark, hiking at Lapham peak, bowling and a dance party at Lifetime Fitness. Thank you to all who participated and to the staff who have helped with the fun!

Social Skills Group

Social Skills groups this month learned how friendships are like flowers and then visited the Milwaukee Domes, learned about respect and then played outdoor games at the office, learned about lifting up their friends while knocking down pins at the bowling alley, and learned about the importance of quality time while hanging out with their friends at the local park!

Small Groups

We now have 10 small groups up and running each week! Our small groups have been busy with art projects, playing pool, picnics in the park, bowling, mini golfing and more! Want to get involved with a small group? Contact info@dsaw.org for more info!

Looking Back on June 2022

We’re looking back at June! It was a busy month all across the state with the kick-off of our summer programming, several fundraiser events, and more fun! DSAW-South Central started their first-ever in-person program, while Fox Cities hosted their 2nd Annual Down for Golf Outing! EXTRAordinary Adventures Camp learned about space, music, and more this month and went out for a bowling trip. And so much more! Read on to learn more.

Green Bay Friendship Group

In Green Bay, the adult friendship group enjoyed a day in the sun and went Frisbee Disc Golfing! We will be hosting more of these friendship group events in Green Bay in the future! Please email abigail@dsaw.org for info or to sign up!

Sheboygan Music & Movement Spring Sessions

DSAW-Sheboygan is teaming up with Take Note Studio to provide free music and movement lessons for children with DS under 7! This program had its first few sessions this month and everyone is enjoying moving and grooving. The chapter will host an adult version of this program SOON! Please email abigail@dsaw.org with any interest.

DSAW-Fox Cities News

June was an exciting month for the Fox Cities! We kicked the month off by taking part in the Little Chute Cheesefest Parade! myTeam Triumph, an incredible nonprofit out of Howard, WI joined us with their race chairs to give participants a break from walking in the heat. We had such a blast!

The Fox Cities chapter closed out June with our 2nd Annual Down for Golf Outing! What an amazing turnout we had! Special thanks to the Vosters & Knackers families for hosting this wonderful event - we had an entire afternoon and evening of golf and fundraising. We haven’t finalized fundraising numbers yet, but we are hoping to beat last year's total by at least $5!

DSAW-Fox Cities Meet-Ups

Our first summer park meet-up was held on Saturday, June 18th at the Washington Park Splash Pad in Neenah! Families joined for a casual morning of fun and friendship. We hope to continue growing this event, with our next park meet-up scheduled on Saturday, July 16th at the Sherwood Park Splash Pad. Join us!

Our first Parent’s Night Out of summer (right) was held on Sunday, June 26th at Wilder's Bistro. Several parents celebrated an evening out while enjoying good conversation and food. Our next night out is scheduled for Sunday, July 31st at Cannova's Pizzeria in Neenah. Please RSVP to attend!

South Central Begins In-Person Programming!

No pictures yet, but we're off to a great start with our first ever in person class in South Central Wisconsin! Our Social Skills class is gathering every Thursday, and Katie, our Program Coordinator, says the class is “teaching me as much as I'm teaching them :)”. Are you in the greater Madison area? Join our new in-person programs!

Summer Rad Rec Events have been going well! We have done events such as mini golfing, yoga, visiting Mayfair Mall, and bowling. We have more awesome Rad Rec Events planned for July — find more info here!

MKE Social Skills groups participated in yoga and have went on two outings this month including Mini Golf! Social Skills and Rad Rec Events also collaborated on a trip to Retzer Nature Center!

Romine's and Shepherd's hosted a pool tournament in the Milwaukee area in memory of Dan Hau and to raise money for DSAW!! Thank you to the Powers family, Kevin Stanelle, and Dave Dahle for organizing this wonderful event that raised $5,000 for DSAW!

EXTRAordinary Adventures Camp

MKE EXTRAordinary Adventures Camp, DSAW’s 2022 summer camp, is still having lots of fun and making new friends!! Participants learned about all things space, music & movement, and sports this month! Each group went on their first outing which was bowling and had an awesome time.

EXTRAordinary Adventures Camp East is making new friends and learning about space and music! The first field trip to the JCC waterpark was very successful for a 90-degree day! SO many smiles (& hugs)

Dinner and a Movie

At Dinner and a Movie, participants enjoyed a delicious meal together and watched Hook. This is a FREE event offered in Southeastern WI the last Wednesday of every month! Find out more about July’s Dinner and a Movie here!

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A Message from DSAW's President/CEO

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Good afternoon,

I am writing today to share some exciting news. Governor Tony Evers announced yesterday that DSAW was awarded a Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. 

The Workforce Innovation Grant Program is a part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are intended to address pressing workforce development challenges related to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.

Only 19% of people with disabilities are employed (USDL, 2022), and the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted their quality of life. But the good news is plentiful. The GDP could be boosted up to $25 billion dollars if just 1% more people with disabilities joined the labor force (Accenture, 2018). In addition, employers who hire people with disabilities consistently tout benefits like improved profitability and competitive advantage. 

With this grant, DSAW will work within a 350+ partner network to launch Think Ability Wisconsin (TAW), which will address workforce issues for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) in counties across our state. 

The project will include: 

  • The development of the Think Ability Wisconsin online transition resource center reaching families well before middle school

  • The creation and expansion of digital learning platforms to teach job skills

  • The expansion of employer-embedded, on-the-job training and placement programs in manufacturing, hospitality, and other accessible industries

  • The expansion of workforce development and wraparound services in underserved regions across WI

  • The formation of partnerships and coalitions across the state to address barriers that keep PWIDD unemployed and in poverty

  • Targeted awareness campaigns to change perceptions of people with IDD in the workforce

  • Employer education to increase job access and expectations

We believe that this whole-person, whole-society approach to Wisconsin’s workforce issues is exactly what’s needed to forever impact and expand opportunities for all of Wisconsin’s employers and people with IDD.

We are so excited, so humbled, and so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help elevate the employment landscape for people with disabilities in our state. Our leadership team is working to roll out plans for implementation. In the meantime, we are thrilled to share this news and celebrate with you! 

Click here to read the official press release from the office of Governor Tony Evers.

Warmly,

 
 

Dawn Nuoffer
President/CEO
Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

Looking Back on May 2022

We’re looking back at May! We have so many fun programs and events planned for the summer, but here’s a recap of what was going on this month. Wellness 360 and Skills Training Academy wrapped up their spring sessions in Southeastern WI, small groups celebrated the beginning of summer, and our clients accomplished more wonderful milestones! Read on to learn more!

DSAW Enrichment Grant

Our Enrichment Grant Program provided a grant for this DSAW family to build a fence to safely play outside this summer! The Enrichment Grant Program provides financial support to help offset the cost of items or services that can benefit the quality of life and development of a person with Down syndrome. Grants should be specific to individuals with Down syndrome -- examples include therapies, educational events, adaptive technology, and educational programs. Find more information and apply for an Enrichment Grant here.

Client Spotlight

We want to celebrate some awesome accomplishments from two of our DSAW clients during the month of May. Brittany invites us to celebrate with her client Griffin, as he graduated high school this month! Also, Becki brought a group to see Katya star in East Side Story at Waukesha Civic Theatre with the ACAP PlayMakers.

Skills Training Academy

STA participants have been having fun all month long learning about each other’s Fun & Talents! Some activities have been making a tornado in a jar, making moon sand, glue art, music bingo, sports day, making frozen blueberry yogurt bark, fashion design, games, making bracelets, drawing, and dancing! Skills Training Academy is a hands-on program occurring 2 days per week at DSAW HQ with small group daily living skills, computer/media development, fun activities, games, and so much more!

Wellness 360

May was our last month of this session of Wellness 360, and we learned about how to continue healthy lifestyles after Wellness 360 ends! We also partnered up with Nicolet High School for a big game day of kickball, red light green light, and showed great teamwork to get the tire up the hill to watch it roll down! Wellness 360 is our new unique mind and body group fitness class in Southeastern WI. It offers participants the opportunity to participate in workouts and learn all about whole person wellness and how to incorporate it into their lives!

Saturday Fun Days!

In May, our Saturday Fun Days brought us together in Southeastern WI and Fox Cities to celebrate the arrival of summer! In Southeastern WI, we held our Saturday Fun Day at The Springs Waterpark at The Ingleside Hotel for a day of swimming and slides. In Fox Cities, we had a summer celebration with crafts and treats!

Small Groups

DSAW Small Groups across the state had a busy May! One of our small groups went mini golfing and painted gifts for their moms at Vibez Art Studio in Greendale. Another group in Fox Cities celebrated “April Showers Bringing May Flowers” with spring-themed crafts. Another one of our groups volunteered three times at an elementary school in Wauwatosa!

Summer Programs Registration

Summer programs registration is now open! This year, we are offering DSAW Connects virtual classes for the entire state of Wisconsin and in-person programming in Southeastern WI, Fox Cities, and South Central WI. Summer programming at DSAW runs June 13th through August 26th unless otherwise noted.

Looking Back on April 2022

We’re looking back on April! As the weather warms up, we are preparing for summer programs — registration is open now! This month, we hosted a great Down Syndrome Summit with National Down Syndrome Congress and UW-Stevens Point, learned about teamwork in Social Skills Group, and practiced our Culver’s orders in the Fox Cities. Read on to learn all about it!

NDSC Down Syndrome Summit

We had a fantastic Down Syndrome Summit with National Down Syndrome Congress and UW-Stevens Point on Saturday, April 23rd! We are so grateful to all of the AMAZING members of the DSAW community and the broader disability community in Wisconsin who attended and made this program a big success.

Thank you to all of our wonderful speakers for sharing their resources and knowledge with us: Susanna Miller-Raines from Think College, Paige Parr from Project SEARCH, and Chris Newlon and Tamara Pursley from National Down Syndrome Congress.
Thank you to the parents and community members who make up the DSAW-Central WI Advisory Board for their influence and effort in planning this event and for their commitment to community education.
Thank you to National Down Syndrome Congress and their Rural Outreach Program for making this day happen and providing resources for all attendees.
Thank you to UW-Stevens Point for collaborating with DSAW and NDSC and donating space for our event.

Culver’s Outing

In the Fox Cities, our staff organized a group outing in which participants enjoyed a meal at Culver's! Participants pre-planned their meals and practiced ordering and paying.

Participants proudly followed the steps, and after they ate, self advocate JP typed on his talker without anyone noticing and walked up to a Culver's employee. JP was trying to show him his iPad screen. The DSAW group asked him to come sit back down and, when returning to the table, asked what he was trying to show the employee. JP showed the screen of his talker, and he had typed, “John Paul Job.” He was pointing at the table, as to say, “here”. “I want a job here” 💙💛

Social Skills Group

DSAW’s Social Skills Group is a hands-on program occurring 1 day per week at DSAW HQ in Southeastern WI with small group daily living skills, fun activities, games, and so much more! In April, Social Skills Group learned about teamwork and wrote some positive words to spread kindness around DSAW!

Skills Training Academy

Skills Training Academy is a hands-on program occurring 2 days per week at DSAW HQ with small group daily living skills, computer/media development, fun activities, games, and so much more! This month, STA participants have been learning about how to make conversations with peers, understanding body language and facial expressions by playing a telephone game, having 1:1 conversations, and participating in a Lego communication challenge activity. STA participants also made some spring flowers to help brighten up the office!

Wellness 360

Wellness 360 is our new unique mind and body group fitness class in Southeastern WI. It offers participants the opportunity to participate in workouts and learn all about whole person wellness and how to incorporate it into their lives!

Saturday Fun Days!

Children's Saturday Fun Day had fun enjoying the outside weather playing kickball, basketball tic-tac-toe, and drawing with chalk. They also played group games, did a spring craft, and sang some karaoke! Adult’s Saturday Fun Day got to visit the Milwaukee County Zoo!

Creative Corner

Creative Corner is a FREE virtual art class that will use everyday objects around the house in different craft projects. This month, Creative Corner made some crafty Easter bunnies!

Summer Programs Registration

Summer programs registration is now open! This year, we are offering DSAW Connects virtual classes for the entire state of Wisconsin and in-person programming in Southeastern WI, Fox Cities, and South Central WI. Summer programming at DSAW runs June 13th through August 26th unless otherwise noted.

Looking Back on March 2022

We’re looking back on March! Can you believe it’s already April?! We started spring with even more fun classes, events, and gatherings all over Wisconsin! DSAW chapters around the state celebrated the Best Day Ever — World Down Syndrome Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and a lot of other awesome outings and classes!

World Down Syndrome Day

This month, we got to unite with the Down syndrome community around the world for World Down Syndrome Day! Since people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of the 21st chromosome, 3/21 is set aside as a global day to raise awareness, acceptance, and access. DSAW’s WDSD theme celebrated the Best Day Ever and all of the things that make our community the Best Ever — from meaningful jobs to fun-loving friendships to amazing dreams.

DSAW-Chippewa Valley celebrated with a full day of fun at Action City Trampoline Park and Chaos Water Park! Over 200 people celebrated with us!

DSAW-La Crosse threw an awesome WDSD party at Myrick Park!

DSAW-Central WI teamed up with our local GiGi’s Playhouse for a WDSD celebration at Rainbow Play Systems!

In Northeast WI, we planted flowers to see how they will grow for 21 days!

Super Saturday

Our Super Saturdays continued with a bowling party in March! Super Saturday is a monthly outing for self-advocates 18+ in Southeastern Wisconsin. This month, we put on our bowling shoes and visited Alpine Lanes in Muskego. Look out for more info on April’s Super Saturday coming soon!

Skills Training Academy

DSAW’s Skills Training Academy is a hands-on program occurring two days a week at DSAW HQ! This program focuses on daily living skills, computer/media skills, activities, games, and much more! One of our recent Skills Training Academy topics was connections and friendships. Participants learned and demonstrated how to be a good friend, and everyone took the 5-Finger Friendship Challenge!

St. Patrick’s Day

We had the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day this year! One of our online courses completed a shamrock craft for the holiday, one of our small groups celebrated with lunch and dancing, and Fox Cities Saturday Fun Day had a scavenger hunt for treasure and played bingo!

Wellness 360

Wellness 360 is our new unique mind and body group fitness class in Southeastern WI. It offers participants the opportunity to participate in workouts and learn all about whole person wellness and how to incorporate it into their lives! This month, Nicolet joined Wellness 360 for some cardio drumming!

Cookies & Canvases

DSAW-Fox Cities hosted a Cookies and Canvases activity in March! Everyone created a beautiful piece of art on their canvas and enjoyed some cookies while they did it!

Dinner & a Movie

DSAW-Southeastern WI now hosts a monthly Dinner & a Movie at DSAW HQ! Join us on the fourth Wednesday of the month for this fun night out for adults 18+ with Down syndrome. April’s event is on the 27th!

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Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin
Telephone: 414-327-3729
Fax: 414-327-1329
Email: info@dsaw.org

 

Headquarters Mailing Address
1214 Kavanaugh Place
Wauwatosa, WI 53213

Headquarters Office Hours:
The DSAW office is open most days for programs and classes. DSAW staff is currently working in a mixture of in-person and remote work, so please call or email to set up an appointment before stopping by!

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