We were founded in 1983 by a group of parents who sought to improve the lives of those affected by Down syndrome in the Greater Richmond area. Today, we are still doing the same thing.
As time passed, more and more families joined our community. Families joined from outside of the Greater Richmond area and word about our organization began to spread. We realized that our name wasn’t inclusive to all our members. It was time to let the path our big dreams had taken us down be formalized into a new, bigger name that reflects the entire community we serve.
Our organization has grown enormously in its 38 years, from a small, informal group, to serving over 650 active families with children with Down syndrome across a large portion of Virginia. We are still driven by the same passion and commitment to creating a community where all individuals with Down syndrome are valued members, and all families and caregivers have the support and resources they need to help individuals with Down syndrome thrive.
We wanted a name that was inclusive of our entire community, a name that demonstrates that we are here for any and every family who wants to be connected to our mission and our work. We want families across our service area to know we are committed to creating a community where all individuals with Down syndrome are valued and belong.
October 15, 2022, the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond officially became the Virginia Down Syndrome Association. We want to invite you to grow with us. We have always been a community that welcomes everyone, and now the community will know that no matter where you live, you belong here.
