The Virginia Down Syndrome Association was started in 1983 by families with a passion for their children. * Over the years, we’ve grown into an organization that offers our members lifelong care and support. From twinkle to wrinkle, we have something for everyone at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association. We support parents who welcome a baby with DS, provide enrichment and social programs for all ages, offer educational tools and information to support parents in raising a child with DS, provide education and employment programs for our members with DS, and encourage and support our members in making an impact on our community.

We support families in 52 counties and 16 cities, stretching from our home base in Richmond to Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, the Central Shenandoah Valley and all the way down to the Virginia State Border.

* The organization began under the name Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond and re-branded in October 2022.

Our Service Area

We Proudly Serve Over 650 Families Across Greater Richmond, Charlottesville, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, And The Central Shenandoah Valley And We Look Forward To Welcoming You Into Our Community.

A map showing all Virginia counties and cities. Counties across Greater Richmond, Williamsburg, Southern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, and the Shenandoah Valley colored in blue color

If you do not live in our service area, we would love to help you get connected with one of the other Down Syndrome Associations in Virginia. If you are not in one of the Associations’ geographic areas, please reach out to us and we would be happy to be a resource for you.

Mission:

To benefit the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families through individual and family support, education, community awareness, and advocacy.

Vision:

We envision a community in which individuals with Down syndrome are fully included and valued members.

Donations to the Virginia Down Syndrome Association make an immediate impact in our local community that you can see and feel when you meet our members. We are committed to reaching and serving all individuals with Down syndrome and their families in our community to support everyone on their unique journey with individualized needs and differences.

Membership at the Virginia Down Syndrome Association is free. We are committed to providing support to all individuals with Down syndrome in our community as well as their family caregivers, guardians, grandparents, professionals, and siblings.

Hear from one of our families about how they have benefited from the Virginia Down Syndrome Association’s support:

During the pandemic Kelly lost both of her jobs. Lucy shared, “we took advantage of the unexpected free time by developing Kelly’s skills in the kitchen and around the house, indoors and out. Kelly continued her childcare training online so she would be ready when called back to work. The VDSA network and its place in the broader Richmond area – along with Kelly’s experience and desire to work with children – were integral to Kelly’s re-employment. Kelly started two jobs working with children in January 2022. She is thrilled to be working again and to be working with children.” Lucy, mother to Kelly

Our Impact

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members with Down Syndrome in 2022!
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teachers, families and community leaders educated
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service hours provided by 538 volunteers
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in scholarships provided to 37 individuals with Down Syndrome

We Proudly Partner with These Organizations

Join Us!

What we do is only possible with the help of people just like you.