Contact
Phone: 704-536-2163
Fax: 704-705-2438
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HOURS
8:30am – 5:00pm
Monday – Friday
or by appointment
SUPPORTING LEARNERS WITH DOWN SYNDROME: CLASSROOM STRATEGIES & DESIGNING QUALITY IEPS Professional Development for Paraprofessionals and Educators CONNECTIONS CHARLOTTE 435 South Tryon Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202 SCHEDULE 8:00 a.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks 8:45 a.m. Keynote Speaker - Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed. 10:00 a.m. Breakout Sessions 11:30 a.m. Lunch (Provided) 12:30 p.m. - Breakout Session 2:15 p.m. - Breakout Session 3:45 p.m. - Closing Remarks COST General Pricing (August 15 – October 5) $75.00 Day-of-Event (cash, check or credit) …
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SPECIAL EDUCATION SUCCESS WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS: THIS CAN BE YOUR CHILD’S BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER! PRESENTED BY Catherine Whitcher www.catherinewhitcher.com CONNECTIONS CHARLOTTE 435 South Tryon Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202 SCHEDULE 7:00 p.m – 7:15 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks 7:15 p.m – 8:15 p.m. Presentation 8:15 p.m – 8:30 p.m. Q&A COST Free of charge. Space is limited. Registration is required. SESSION DESCRIPTION • Bring Your Child’s IEP • Learn what should and should not be in your child’s IEP • Learn…
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About the Buddy Walk The Buddy Walk is a 1-mile walk and family fun day to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and promote community inclusion. This year, an estimated 3,000 people will join together to celebrate in the Greater Charlotte area! This event is the largest fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, and makes possible the many programs and services provided for people with Down syndrome, their families, educators and service providers. Saturday, October 20, 2018 10:00…
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Join us for Dinner and Bingo Night! Our DSAGC Adult Meet-Up group will be partnering with the Extra Special Catering Company (a subsidiary of the Skills Group of Charlotte). DINNER will be served Buffet-Style and will include: Chicken Tiki Marsala, rice, salad, desert, drinks (entrée is gluten and dairy free ). COST (Optional): A donation of $14 per person is requested. (Cash only please.) Please RSVP (CoachPatH@aol.com) as soon as possible, with the number of people in your family and/or group that…
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Join us for breakfast with Santa! Free to all DSA of Greater Charlotte families!
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Are you in 6th grade and up? You're invited to the 2018 Snowflake Swing! Dance the night away with Best Buddies North Carolina, The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte and The Exceptional Foundation of Charlotte on December 8th! Come enjoy an evening of fantastic music, food (dinner) & fun! It’s FREE!!! We are so excited to bring our organizations together for the Snowflake Swing!! Parents and faculty are invited to stay and hang out in our V.I.P. (Very Important…
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This year Charlotte Ballet’s sensory friendly version of the Nutcracker will take place on Thursday, December 13 at 1 PM at the Belk Theater. In addition to allowing audiences to sit wherever they choose during the performances (even on the floor or in front of the stage) the following help create a sensory friendly experience: - Abbreviated performance length (one hour total run time) and extended intermission (30 minutes) - House lights remain at half-brightness and sound is controlled through…
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It's time for a great meal and Christmas Karaoke! Adults with Ds or other developmental disabilities, ages 18+, are invited to attend. Friends or other folks who may support the adults are invited, as well. Our meeting will be held at Hope Community Church again. We will be in the Fellowship Hall in the main building - not where we were last month. MENU ENTREE A) Meatballs with Marinara Sauce and a choice of homemade pasta or gluten and dairy…
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Join us for an afternoon of hockey with our very own Charlotte Checkers.
The puck drops at 1pm against the Toronto Marlies.
Bring your friends for a evening of Karaoke and Dinner. RSVP to coachpath@aol.com and extraspecialcatering@gmail.com
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Dream on 3 has invited some of our families to participate in a Day of Dreams on February 23rd. See below for details. Space is limited so email me DIRECTLY at hzipperer@dsa-gc.org if you are interested. I'll draw family names from the list of interested families next Monday, February 18th. Note that families selected for this event will be contacted directly by Dream on 3 the week of February 18th with more details. What: Steve Smith Foundation 6th Annual Strike…
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We are excited to have Kayla McKeon speak with our families and self-advocates! Kayla is a self-advocate and manager of Grass Roots Advocacy with the National Down Syndrome Society RSVP REQUIRED
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Bring your friends and enjoy dinner and bingo night! RSVP to coachpath@aol.com and extraspecialcatering@gmail.com
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We are teaming up with the Charlotte Hornets this season to host a fundraiser, and are very excited to be recognized as the Non-Profit of the Night on March, 19th vs the Philadelphia 76ers! The fundraiser will give $5 back from each ticket sold *only through this Groupmatics link* to DSA of Greater Charlotte. In addition to this, we will also have a special VIP "Behind the Scenes" experience available to us! This experience will allow us to watch pre-game…
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Along with Invites You to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day! "Crazy Sock Hop" World Down Syndrome Day Celebration is a family-friendly festival open to the community provided by a partnership between Davidson Day School, KennedyStrong Foundation, Gigi's Playhouse Charlotte and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. Date: Thursday, March 21st, 2019 Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Location: Davidson Day School, 750 Jetton Street, Davidson, NC Stay tuned for more information coming soon!
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INVITE YOUR CHILD'S CLASS/SCHOOL TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT! IT IS EASY! Dash-With-Class "How To" Guide Dash with Class Letter 5K & World Down Syndrome Day The 3-2-1 DASH for Down Syndrome is a 5K fundraiser; run an extra .11 mile to the 2nd finish line for a 3.21 finish! Event proceeds benefit Education Programs for individuals with Down syndrome (Ds). Educational programs in the greater Charlotte area are helping to support educators and enable students with Ds to live up…
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For the past 22 years, Catherine has been designing IEPs that WORK for parents, teachers, districts and students! Join us for two 2-hour workshops with Catherine Whitcher, founder of the Online IEP Help Center & Become an IEP Coach Mentorship. For more information visit www.catherinewhitcher.com. CHILD CARE IS NOW FULL. There are no spots available as of 4/19/19. REGISTER BELOW. Bring Your Child's IEP Learn What Should be in Your Child's Education Plan Learn What Should NOT be in Your…
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In July of 2004, Nicholas G. Kwiatkowski gained his angel wings. In celebration of his life, and the lives of all children with Down syndrome who have gone before us, the net proceeds from this golf tournament will go to the DSA of Greater Charlotte Summer Camps and other programs.
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All adults with Down syndrome, ages 18+, are welcome to join us at Camp Thunderbird for our first Independent Living Retreat. We welcome other adults with intellectual disabilities to join us if space allows. In addition to canoeing, hiking, fishing, campfire and s'mores, we will focus on increasing self-confidence and independence through individual, small group and large actvities and vocational projects.
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WORDS MATTER. ATTITUDES MATTER. WE MATTER. Filmmaker Amanda Lukoff grew up advocating for her sister Gabrielle, especially whenever she heard the word retard(ed). With The R-Word, she unravels the history and lasting effects of this word through the lens of the sibling experience, captivating animation sequences, and self-advocates speaking truth-to-power - ultimately making the case for why the conversation surrounding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities needs to change. Join us on Tuesday, June 11th for a FREE screening of "The…
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Camp Holiday is a day camp for campers with Down syndrome, ages 5-21. Participants may choose from two two-week sessions. Participating campers enjoy weekly yoga, drama and music/movement classes facilitated by trained professionals. Each group of campers is supported by a certified teacher and 1-2 camp counselors – offering a 1:3 counselor-to-camper ratio. Camp Holiday is all about learning and fun! Session 1: Monday, June 17th - Friday, June 21st and Monday, June 24th - Friday, June 28th. NEW IN 2019:…
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This event is cosponsored by The Exceptional Foundation, Best Buddies of North Carolina and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. Dance the night away at the Summer Swing! Enjoy an evening of fantastic music, refreshments & fun! The event will also feature a V.I.P (Very Important Parent) lounge. RSVP required. EVENT IS FREE! Free parking: 163 W. 9th Street, signs overhead as you enter the parking deck should say 525 North Tryon, United Methodist Church. Take the parking deck…
Find out more »Camp Holiday is a day camp for campers with Down syndrome, ages 5-21. Participants may choose from two two-week sessions. Participating campers enjoy weekly yoga, drama and music/movement classes facilitated by trained professionals. Each group of campers is supported by a certified teacher and 1-2 camp counselors – offering a 1:3 counselor-to-camper ratio. Camp Holiday is all about learning and fun! Session 2: Monday, July 15th - Friday, July 19th and Monday, July 22nd - Friday, July 26th. NEW IN 2019:…
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Elevation Church is sponsoring THREE Moms Mornings Out the week of July 29th - August 2nd for kids in grades K-5. July 29, 9am-12pm July 31, 9am-12pm August 2, 9am-12pm These are FREE, but space is limited to 20 kids per day. For more details and to RSVP visit: https://dsagreatercharlotte.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=517
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Join us for a SUPER SUMMER CARNIVAL! Sponsored by Elevation Church Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 11am-1pm SMS Catering, 1764 Norland Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 FREE! RSVPs recommended so we can plan accordingly!
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For more details visit our Camp Horizon website. Registrations after May 24th pay $230.00 per camper. Registration closes July 1st, 2019.
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Our 2nd Independent Living Retreat for Adults with Down syndrome will be held September 6-8, 2019 at Camp Thunderbird! These weekend retreats are a way for adults with Down syndrome to connect with others, develop "soft skills" (aka problem solving, perseverance, teamwork, communication, focus, etc.) that equip them to be effective employees in the world of work and beyond. A mix of whole-group, small-group and individual activities are embedded throughout the weekend. A focus on life skills (hygiene, activities of…
Find out more »Join us for dinner and Bingo! $14.00 per person included dinner (menu forthcoming). After dinner we will play BINGO for great prizes! Please respond by 7 pm on Monday, 9/9, with the total number in your party so we can get the count for the ordering of food. Please respond to: extraspecialcatering@gmail.com Remember everyone in invited, family, friends, classmates, work colleagues etc .
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Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/14/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/12/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/16/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops starting August 19th. Stay tuned!
Find out more »Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/18/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/16/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/13/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops beginning August 19th. Stay tuned!
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NEW DATE: September 21, 2019 For new and expectant parents, any opportunity to connect with other parents who have had similar experiences can be invaluable. DSA of Greater Charlotte will hold a training event for parents interested in becoming mentors to families that have recently received a diagnosis. Prospective parent mentors should have a child with Down syndrome under the age of 8. However, all interested families are invited to attend. This training is for parents to become certified in…
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This series of three 90-minute workshops will focus on empowering adults with Down syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities to become contributing members of their communities and workplaces. When: Wednesdays, 1x/month (September - November) Location: Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm Cost: $20 per session NOTE: This series of workshops is developed so that each workshop can stand alone, but the series is most impactful when all three workshops are taken together. Wednesday, September 25,…
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This annual symposium, a part of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte’s Together in Education program, is open to all school staff, including General Education, EC, and Enrichment teachers,as well as therapists, psychologists and paraprofessionals. Private, charter and home school staff are also welcome. Schedule 8:00am Registration 8:30am Opening Remarks 9:00am Keynote Address 9:45am BREAK 10:00am Breakout Session 1 11:30am Lunch 12:30pm Breakout Session 2 2:00pm BREAK 2:15pm Breakout Session 3 3:45pm Closing Remarks Speakers will include:…
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This family workshop, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, will feature Terri Couwenhoven, MS, AASECT Sexuality Educator. Terri Couwenhoven MS, CSE is a well known sex educator and author, specializing in the design and implementation of sexuality programs and resources for people with cognitive disabilities, their parents, and the professionals who support them. Her gentle, matter-of-fact approach combined with extensive knowledge and experience make her a popular speaker with self advocates, parents and professionals around the…
Find out more »This FREE family workshop, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, will focus on understanding the roles of temperament and personality in developing healthy family relationships. This family workshop, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte, will feature Terri Couwenhoven, MS, AASECT Sexuality Educator. Terri Couwenhoven MS, CSE is a well known sex educator and author, specializing in the design and implementation of sexuality programs and resources for people with cognitive disabilities, their parents, and…
Find out more »Join us for dinner and Motown Karaoke The menu will be an Oktoberfest theme ($14/per person): Pork Schnitzel German Potato Salad Braised Red Cabbage Pretzels Apple Strudel Need your RSVPs (including # of people in your party) by Monday, October 7, 2019, including any karaoke song you want to sing. Please RSVP to both extraspecialcatering@gmail.com and coachpath@aol.com Remember everyone in invited, family, friends, classmates, work colleagues etc .
Find out more »Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/14/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/12/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/16/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops starting August 19th.
Find out more »Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/18/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/16/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/13/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops beginning August 19th. Stay tuned!
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Join us on October 19, 2019! Register, Donate, Sponsor Now www.BuddyWalkCharlotte.org The 22nd Annual Greater Charlotte Buddy Walk will be held on Saturday, October 19th at the Jerry Richardson Football Stadium at UNC Charlotte. Sponsorship Opportunities are available for our 2019 Buddy Walk! Local businesses gain great exposure and support our programs and services when they sponsor our event! Check out Sponsorship Opportunities, including our “Buddy World” Activities Area Sponsor, In-Walk Entertainment Sponsor, T-Shirt Sponsor and Marketing & Advertising Sponsor! The…
Find out more »This series of three 90-minute workshops will focus on empowering adults with Down syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities to become contributing members of their communities and workplaces. When: 1x/month September – November Location: Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Cost: $20 per session NOTE: This series of workshops is developed so that each workshop can stand alone, but the series is most impactful when all three workshops are taken together. Wednesday, September 25, 2019…
Find out more »Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/18/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/16/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/13/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops beginning August 19th. Stay tuned!
Find out more »We will be playing Bingo for GREAT PRIZES! Extra Special Catering will provide one free meal for a new Meet-UP guest for tonight. This will be for one individual who has not attended a Meet-UP group dinner during the past year. Thank you Chefs for doing this and for your great support of our program. Our menu will be: Kefta Beef Kabobs Moroccan Couscous Salad (GF version available) Moroccan Spiced Roasted Vegetables Dessert: Moroccan Baklava (GF dessert available) Cost…
Find out more »Join A Special Needs Plan, INC. as they host a three-part seminar series for families of children with disabilities. Topics include: 9/14/19 - Planning for Two Lifetimes 10/12/19 - Overview of the ABLE Account 11/16/19 - Transition to Adulthood: Ages 17-21 RSVP for one or more of these three workshops starting August 19th!
Find out more »This series of three 90-minute workshops will focus on empowering adults with Down syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities to become contributing members of their communities and workplaces. When: 1x per month - September through November Location: Park Road Baptist Church, 3900 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Cost: $20 per session NOTE: This series of workshops is developed so that each workshop can stand alone, but the series is most impactful when all three workshops are taken together. Wednesday,…
Find out more »Are you in 6th grade and up? You're invited to the 2019 Snowflake Swing! Dance the night away with Best Buddies North Carolina, The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte and The Exceptional Foundation of Charlotte on December 6th! Come enjoy an evening of fantastic music, food (dinner) & fun! It’s FREE!!! We are so excited to bring our organizations together for the Snowflake Swing!! Parents and faculty are invited to stay and hang out in our V.I.P. (Very Important…
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Join us as we celebrate the Holidays! All DSA Families are invited to attend. Deadline to RSVP is November 27th. Cost is $3.21 per person. Proceeds go toward our Scholarship Fund for summer camps and our programs for Adults with Down syndrome. Come enjoy brunch, decorate holiday cookies, dance with our DJ and meet Santa!
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A limited number of Upper Level Tickets are available at a special group rate for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte for the Carolina Panthers v. Seattle Seahawks game on Sunday, 12/15, at 1pm. Instructions are at ticket link below on how to buy tickets and invite your friends to join you. $10 per ticket will be donated back to the DSA of Greater Charlotte.
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Get in the holiday spirit as we celebrate with Holiday Karaoke and dinner. Cost will be $14 per person. Dinner menu forthcoming Please respond to the email addresses below with the # of people in your party. Please RSVP to both extraspecialcatering@gmail.com and coachpath@aol.com Remember everyone in invited, family, friends, classmates, work colleagues etc .
Find out more »A limited number of Upper Level Tickets are available at a special group rate for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte for the Carolina Panthers v. New Orleans Saints game on Sunday, 12/29, at 1pm. Instructions are at ticket link below on how to buy tickets and invite your friends to join you. $10 per ticket will be donated back to the DSA of Greater Charlotte.
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Friends and family of The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte are invited to participate in fundraiser where $5 of each ticket will go back to The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte as the Calder Cup Champions, the Charlotte Checkers take on the WBS Penguins. When you purchase, you'll receive your very own referral link to share with your friends and family. Anyone that buys from your link will automatically be seated with you. All fans will receive an email…
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SAVE THE DATE! Join us for a DSA & Friends Social Outing on Saturday, 2/8/2020! Help us cheer on the UNCC 49ers basketball team as they play the University of Texas San Antonio! Tickets are $10pp. All who attend will get to have their photo taken with the basketball team post-game and our group will get a scoreboard shout-out!
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Sponsored by DSA of Greater Charlotte AUDIENCE: Parents of babies with Down syndrome ages 18 months and younger DESCRIPTION: This class is being led by an Occupational Therapist who also is the mom to a toddler with Down Syndrome. In this class you will learn simple and fun ways to engage your baby in play to develop fine motor, gross motor, and feeding skills. Suggestions will also be provided to help choose the best baby items to buy and what…
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POSTPONED! Along with This event has been postponed! Come Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with us Thursday March 12, 2020. Davidson Day School’s 7th and 8th graders (and their advisors) are hosting and have planned a family-friendly festival open to the community. This event is being provided in partnership with Davidson Day School, KennedyStrong Foundation, Gigi’s Playhouse Charlotte and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. Activities include Legos, face painting, dance party, sensory friendly room, arts & crafts, and…
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED! EIN 56-1541529 REGISTER NOW Sponsorship Opportunities Available! Contact us to learn more! INVITE YOUR CHILD'S CLASS/SCHOOL TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT! IT IS EASY! CLICK links below for more information! Dash with Class Logistics for Parents Dash with Class Letter to Teachers 5K & World Down Syndrome Day The 3-2-1 DASH for Down Syndrome is a 5K fundraiser; run an extra .11 mile to the 2nd finish line for a 3.21 finish! Extra “Dash” for Down…
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THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED! Join us for our Town Hall Meeting! 2019 was an amazing year of growth and increased engagement! Get a recap of our 2019 accomplishments, as well as our plans for 2020! Q&A will follow our organizational update. Limited childcare provided. DEADLINE to RSVP for childcare is Tuesday, 3/23/20 at 8pm EST. RSVP Using Form Below!
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