We had a fantastic fall! Families across Wisconsin continued to utilize DSAW Connects and free virtual programs. DSAW- Fox Cities hosted their annual Awareness Walk AND gave their office a makeover. DSAW- Green Bay is sponsoring an adaptive fitness program for self advocates. DSAW- Southeastern WI hosted fall programs in the community, and in-person programs continued at the office.
DSAW- Fox Cities Down Syndrome Awareness Walk
We kicked off the month with the DSAW- Fox Cities 12th Annual Down Syndrome Awareness Walk! Walk Day was a blast and the chapter exceeded its fundraising goal! With the help of the community, DSAW- Fox Cities raised $130,000 this Walk season! Thank you to all of our community members who participated or supported this event! Big thank you to the volunteers as well. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Fall Fun!
DSAW Saturday Fun Days
Our Super Saturday Group went to Lindner Pumpkin Farm for an afternoon of fall fun! The group picked pumpkins, walked the corn maze, and had a great time together!
Creative Corner
Creative Corner made a spooky craft for the season. They used cotton balls to make cute ghosts!
Virtual Family Night: Halloween Party
DSAW hosted a virtual Halloween Party! Attendees got to wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy spooky fun online! The costumes were amazing! Participants drew a haunted house, played Halloween Hangman, and decorated cookies.
Family Fun Day at Lindner Pumpkin Farm
DSAW families were treated to a day at the farm! Over 100 people joined us for a fun, fall day at Lindner Pumpkin Farm. Families enjoyed the petting zoo, corn maze, Big Back Yard playground and pumpkin bowling.
DSAW- Fox Cities Tween Club Halloween Party
DSAW- Fox Cities hosted a Tween Club Halloween Party! Staff and participants went all out with costumes and decorations! They had a fun and spooky time!
Program Updates
DSAW- Green Bay Buddy Up Tennis
DSAW- Green Bay is helping to reduce the cost of an adaptive sports program for local families! The program is called Buddy Up Tennis. Buddy Up Tennis is a clinic consisting of professional tennis instruction and fitness conditioning. Local children and self advocates love the opportunity to pair up with a typically developing community member to learn new skills and have fun!
Skills Training Academy
Skills Training Academy meets at DSAW’s headquarters in West Allis. It includes scheduled class instruction and hands-on application of skills. Some of the recent focus areas have been learning how to tell time, setting an alarm on a smartphone and a clock, and finding ways to stay active and have fun!
New merch coming soon!
DSAW Work Hub
DSAW is lucky to have a stellar group of interns working at Headquarters this fall. This group splits time between instruction and doing jobs around the office. Some of the recent topics they discussed are workplace behavior, conversation skills, body language, and more! During work time, interns take inventory of various products, help with cleaning projects, and this month, they even got to model new DSAW merchandise!
DSAW- Fox Cities Office Makeover!
Our friends in the Fox Cities spent a Sunday painting their new office! The group tackled the largest, main room and got it all done. The coat of paint makes a huge difference and the results are beautiful. Next staff looks forward to getting new flooring!
Small Groups
DSAW Small Groups had a painting party! This fun-loving group loved the opportunity to get creative in the community.
Social Skills Group
Social Skills Group in Southeastern WI uses hands-on activities to teach participants about concepts related to relationships, behavior, and daily living skills. This group of kiddos is starting to learn about emotions and how their feelings can play into the relationships they develop!
Thank you, DSAW Grandparents Group
Our Parent’s First Call program partners thank members of the DSAW Grandparent’s Group for their generous in-kind donations this month! Grandparents in the group dropped off baby socks, small toys, and books at the DSAW Office to be used in our new parent welcome baskets and expectant parent packs. Thank you for thinking of PFC!
DSAW Webinar: Aging with Down Syndrome & Tips for Promoting Cognitive Brain Health at Every Age
Dr. Donna Marie Fick presented on common issues encountered during aging with Down syndrome. The webinar was a great opportunity for parents and health care professionals to get their questions about again answered. Thank you to Dr. Fick for presenting and the Marjorie Christiansen Foundation for sponsoring.
