Formerly, Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City
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Let's Celebrate this Exciting Milestone, Together!
Over the past 37 years, your support of our mission has led to this thrilling moment in time: the Grand Opening of our Lifelong Learning Campus!
The Celebration begins at 8 am as we host our first-ever, Dash for Down Syndrome 5k (details below) that starts/finishes on our campus! Then beginning at 9 am, our family-friendly festivities will begin on what happens to be our 37th Birthday! Enjoy some birthday cake and refreshments as you check out our new building; meet our team and learn about our expanded services (for all ages!); participate in scavenger hunt featuring fun activities; enter into cool drawings, and more!
Be sure to RSVP for our Grand Opening, so we have plenty of cake ready for your family! We can't wait to see you and to celebrate this exciting milestone for our organization and the families we serve!
Introducing our First 5k Fundraiser!
The morning of our Grand Opening, we will debut the Dash For Down Syndrome 5k! The Race begins at 8 am with the Start/Finish Line on our new campus!
Registration is $32 and each entry includes a custom Dash for Down Syndrome t-shirt, race-day bib with chip timer, and snacks post-race.
Tomorrow is Global Running Day, so lace up and get ready to impact the life of an individual with Down syndrome!
Register by Wednesday, June 16th >>
*Official timing results, bibs and online results through RaceDay Timing Solutions.
Training for the "Dash For Down Syndrome" 5K?
Here are some tips to find your "happy pace" from Scott Quaife!
- Start out slow: if you haven’t been running regularly, it will take some time to build your endurance. Start out by walking/running a mile until it feels like something that you can do easily. Focus on gradually increasing your distance before you worry about your pace.
- Fuel your body: make sure you are drinking plenty of water and eating nutrient-dense foods to give your body what it needs to be at its best.
- Take it easy: give your body time to recover from a walk or run, if you feel sore the next day. Pushing yourself too hard to speed up your training can lead to ineffective workouts and injury.
- Stick with it: the hardest part of training your body to run or walk a 5k is the beginning, when your body is first becoming acclimated (and before it becomes a habit). Keep at it and your hard work will pay off!
- Strength in numbers: walking or running with friends or family can make it more enjoyable and help keep you accountable in your workouts.
Remember: involving your loved one with Down syndrome in physical activity and modeling healthy behavior benefit everyone!
Boulder woman among first to graduate in inclusive higher education program. Read it >>
UPSer with Down syndrome has no limits. Watch the video >>
Drawing Alert: Register Your Team by July 1st for a Chance to Win!
More than 40 teams have registered for our 2021 KC Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk at Arrowhead Stadium! We are so excited about your momentum that we will hold a special drawing the week of July 5th for any Team that has registered by July 1st!
Be sure you register by 11:59 pm CST on July 1st to be entered into this fun drawing! Teams that have already registered will automatically be entered! You won't want to miss Stepping Up for this! Register your Team here >>
Join Us for a Car Wash Fundraiser!
Down Syndrome Innovations is partnering with Waterway Car Wash Kansas City for a fundraiser on June 5th! The event will run from 10 am to 2 pm at the State Line location.
Teens and adults with Down syndrome are volunteering at the event and will be drying cars as they exit the car wash.
Waterway will be accepting donations and offering raffle prizes; and a portion of all sales during the event will be donated to support our mission!
Complimentary Seminar: Helping Your Loved One with Social Cues
Is your loved one with Down syndrome struggling to understand social cues? Do they know how to read body language or how to start/stop a conversation?
Watch our seminar about how to foster and support social skills in people with Down syndrome: Facilitating and Reinforcing Social Skills!
Interested in Volunteering?
Now that we are back in action, we have several volunteer opportunities available in the coming months!
Dash for Down Syndrome 5K
Saturday, June 19th
Sign up to volunteer here >>
Teen Summer Day Camp
Wednesday, July 28 - Friday, July 30
Rotary Camp, Lee’s Summit, MO
Email tyler@kcdsi.org to learn more about our teen camp and volunteer needs!
Step Up for Down Syndrome KC Walk
Saturday, October 16th
Sign up to volunteer here >>
Be sure to register, before opportunities fill up!
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of people with Down syndrome!
Words of Hope...
"I'm reading a book right now where a family in the 1960s had a child diagnosed with Autism. The lack of understanding, therapy, programs, and HOPE at that point for both autism and unfortunately, even for Down syndrome, is astounding. I say a prayer of thanks every time I pick up the book as I'm reminded again and again what a blessing Pathways is for Matthew, so many other kids, and for us parents, too.
I look at Matthew's future with hope...and not the kind where you squeeze your eyes shut and 'hope' things will be ok. I feel confident that he's being prepared for a good life and confident that he has the resources to help him through any difficulty. Hope is such a beautiful thing! Thank you to Marie, to Sarah, Jessie, Megan, Tyler, Amy, the interns, etc., etc., for all you do!"
~Laura Nelson, Mother of Matthew, age 17
Matthew participates in Pathways Therapy Services
