Happy Mother's Day
2023-05-14 | VA

Music BINGO with Brooke (Virtual)
2023-05-15 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Open House Week with our partner- Jacob’s Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Staff will be there to greet you also!

May 15 – Monday, 4-5 pm – Music BINGO with Brooke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A weekly Zoom program where participants gather for music fun! We’ll dance, sing, write songs, and play music games like BINGO, Name that Tune, and music trivia!
May 17 – Wednesday, 3G – Guys, Gals, and Games, 4:30pm-5:30pm at Belmont Rec Center (1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228). Ages 13 to adult. 3G is a weekly social group focused on providing opportunities for socializing, relationship building, and disability acceptance. We come together each week to play card games, board games, build Legos, draw, color, or just hang out! Led by Andrew and with volunteers of a variety of ages helping out, friends of all abilities are welcome to come each week to hang out and make new friends!
May 18 – Thursday, 4:15-5 pm | Culinary Arts with Friends (Virtual). Highschool grads. A weekly Zoom program where participants can practice their skills in their own kitchens! Explore new recipes by joining us in the Zoom room as our instructor Chefs lead us through making a new recipe each week. Recipes will be sent in advance. Open to all ages, but supervision is recommended while working in the kitchen.
May 19 – Friday, 4-5:00pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A casual weekly Zoom gathering for participants to express themselves through music, art, poetry, or dance! Come out ready to perform or simply sit back and cheer your friends on!

All programs free.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57142-open-house-week-with-jacob-s-chance

3G - Guys, Gals, and Games
2023-05-17 16:30 - 17:30
Open House Week with our partner- Jacob’s Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Staff will be there to greet you also!

May 17 – Wednesday, 3G – Guys, Gals, and Games, 4:30pm-5:30pm at Belmont Rec Center (1600 Hilliard Rd, Richmond, VA 23228). Ages 13 to adult. 3G is a weekly social group focused on providing opportunities for socializing, relationship building, and disability acceptance. We come together each week to play card games, board games, build Legos, draw, color, or just hang out! Led by Andrew and with volunteers of a variety of ages helping out, friends of all abilities are welcome to come each week to hang out and make new friends!
May 18 – Thursday, 4:15-5 pm | Culinary Arts with Friends (Virtual). Highschool grads. A weekly Zoom program where participants can practice their skills in their own kitchens! Explore new recipes by joining us in the Zoom room as our instructor Chefs lead us through making a new recipe each week. Recipes will be sent in advance. Open to all ages, but supervision is recommended while working in the kitchen.
May 19 – Friday, 4-5:00pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A casual weekly Zoom gathering for participants to express themselves through music, art, poetry, or dance! Come out ready to perform or simply sit back and cheer your friends on!

All programs free.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57142-open-house-week-with-jacob-s-chance

Culinary Arts with Friends (Virtual)
2023-05-18 16:15 - 17:00
Open House Week with our partner- Jacob’s Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Staff will be there to greet you also!

May 18 – Thursday, 4:15-5 pm | Culinary Arts with Friends (Virtual). Highschool grads. A weekly Zoom program where participants can practice their skills in their own kitchens! Explore new recipes by joining us in the Zoom room as our instructor Chefs lead us through making a new recipe each week. Recipes will be sent in advance. Open to all ages, but supervision is recommended while working in the kitchen.
May 19 – Friday, 4-5:00pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A casual weekly Zoom gathering for participants to express themselves through music, art, poetry, or dance! Come out ready to perform or simply sit back and cheer your friends on!

All programs free.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57142-open-house-week-with-jacob-s-chance

Improvaneer - ages 16+ (Virtual)
2023-05-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-05-25 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-06-01 19:00 - 20:00
The Improvaneer Method – Online Style (Virtual) for age 16+, 5 week class
This virtual class helps build key skills that enhance social, workplace, and lifetime opportunities in ways never imagined before!
Thursdays from 7:00-8:00 pm. Cost: $35 per person for 5 week class
May 4 to June 1
Scholarships Available – https://virginiadsa.org/scholarships/
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56171-improvaneer-method-may-june-2023
Learn more at https://www.theimprovaneermethod.com/

Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual)
2023-05-19 16:00 - 17:00
Open House Week with our partner- Jacob’s Chance
Virginia Down Syndrome Association Staff will be there to greet you also!

May 19 – Friday, 4-5:00pm | Open Mic Karaoke (Virtual). Highschool grads. A casual weekly Zoom gathering for participants to express themselves through music, art, poetry, or dance! Come out ready to perform or simply sit back and cheer your friends on!

All programs free.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57142-open-house-week-with-jacob-s-chance

Williamsburg area Moms' Night Out
2023-05-19 18:00 - 20:00
Williamsburg Moms’ Night Out at Sweethaven Lavendar Farm
Friday, May 19 at 6:00 PM
$15
(must purchase tickets in advance)
Celebrate summer nights at Lavender Twilight on the farm with live music.
Please purchase tickets to join us by May 5th!
https://sweethaven-lavender.ticketleap.com/bloom-2023/dates/May-19-2023_at_0600PM
$15 tickets include admission and a u-pick bouquet. Celebrate summer nights at Lavender Twilight on the farm.
Delight your senses with add-on options to include charcuterie meats, cheeses, fruits, and olives served in our vintage picnic basket, and finish off your experience with a sampler of lavender desserts at sunset.
Live music provided by local musicians Erik Gaines and Wes Wirkkala.
Charcuterie Baskets and Sweets Samplers are add-on tickets and must be purchased in addition to admission a full 48 hours before your scheduled visit. They will not be available for purchase on site. Quantities are limited.
Hampton Roads Winery will be joining us with their popular wine slushies and wine by the glass or bottle.
Register here so we know you are coming: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56435-williamsburg-may-moms-night-out-2023

Charlottesville - Moms' Night Out
2023-05-19 18:30 - 20:30
Join Charlottesville area moms’ for a night out at matchbox, C-ville, 2055 bond st, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Friday, May 19
6:30 pm

Register here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57162-charlottesville-moms-night-out

Autism Society of Central Virginia 5K and Family Fun Day
2023-05-20 08:00 - 17:00
2023 ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day!
The ASCV 5K & Family Fun Day returns to Crump Park on May 20, 2023!
Learn more at their website: https://runsignup.com/ascv5k

Disability Inclusion Day at the Diamond
2023-05-21 13:30 - 17:00
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is looking forward to being part of Disability Inclusion Day at the Diamond. Reserve your free tickets.

We will announce where we will be sitting when it’s gets closer to the date.
When you register for tickets, you can let them know if you need additional accommodations.

Get your tickets here: https://friendshipcircleva.org/inclusiondayrva2023

Friendship Circle of Virginia is thrilled to offer 10,000 FREE tickets to the RVA community for this event. Please reserve your tickets and please let us know below if you require any accommodations or supports to participate.

Accommodation options:

Increased accessible seating (first come first serve)
Sensory break bags
Sensory Zone
Kids field activities
ASL services
Audio Description Services
Additional quiet space
Sensory friendly gate
Closed captioning
Lower speaker volume
Giveaway
Dietary Restrictions
Adult changing area

Sexual Health & Relationships: What Caregivers Need to Know (Virtual)
2023-05-24 19:00 - 20:30
Sexual Health & Relationships: What Caregivers Need to Know
We will be joined by EASE for the first hour of this session to learn why it’s so important to talk to our teens and adults with Down syndrome about sex and relationships. Then we will engage in a short conversation – VDSA wants to know what other topics in this series you’d like to see offered in the future.

May 24, 2023 @ 7:00PM — 8:30PM on Zoom.

If you have any questions, contact
Sherry Klauer
Education Director
Virginia Down Syndrome Association
804-256-6243
email: sklauer@virginiadsa.org

Spring Gala!
2023-05-25 18:00 - 22:00
Celebrate Virginia Down Syndrome Association’s 40th Anniversary at our Spring Gala!
The 1st annual Dancing with the Local Stars Gala will be both a fundraising event for VDSA as well as an opportunity to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We are partnering with specialty dancers from Miracles in Motion, a non-profit dance group that provides specialized dance instruction to individuals with disabilities of all ages. These dancers, 4 of whom have Down syndrome, will be paired with local celebrities to perform a choreographed dance as a pair.

Join us for cocktail hour, dinner in the ballroom and amazing entertainment from our dancing couples.
We see this fundraising event as an opportunity to truly celebrate the success and abilities of individuals with Down syndrome–many abilities that truly couldn’t be imagined just 40 years ago when our organization was founded and the life expectancy for individuals with Ds was only 25 years of age. Today, thanks to the help of many supports and organizations like ours, the life expectancy is now over 60! Individuals with Down syndrome bring so much to our community through their joy and their talents!

Memorial Day
2023-05-29

The Learning Program
2023-06-03 09:30 - 11:30
The Learning Program – The 2022-2023 Series

The 10th year of the Learning Program at DSAGR kicked off in September 2022 as a hybrid model.
Registration is closed for 2022-2023. Contact Sherry Klauer for program information for Sept 2023 to June 2024.
sklauer@virginiadsa.org
The Learning Program is an educational program that serves as a platform for sharing literacy and math instructional strategies, resources and activities to improve academic outcomes for students with Down syndrome, equipping families with the knowledge and tools to work effectively at home and at school.
There will be a total of 8 sessions held on Saturdays between September 2022 and May 2022. 5 of these sessions are for parents only in a virtual format (October, January, April, May, and June). 3 of these sessions are in person and be for both parents and children to receive instruction (November, February, and March). In September, we had a Family Day to meet teachers, other families and enjoy a park day.
During the in-person sessions, parents will receive instructions in a separate parent only class. Children will receive hands-on learning in a student class with centers that focus on literacy, math and fine motor/handwriting setting led by a qualified teacher and occupational therapist with volunteers to maintain a low teacher to student ratio. All in-person classes will be held at River Road Church Baptist in Richmond, VA. All the dates are below.

What level might be best for your child?

LP Level 1 (recommended ages PreK-1st grade or emerging readers)
LP Level 2 (recommended ages 2nd-3rd grade)
LP Level 3 (recommended ages 4th-6th grade) – will be offered depending on interest

Parent classes are taught by a local teacher using the Learning Program curriculum. Watch this sample video for a snapshot of what is covered in the parent learning classes – ABCs of Effective Reading Instruction. The in-person student classes are like the learning in this Learning Program video here!
Cost: The cost of the program is $195 (Scholarships Available). The cost covers:

8 parent learning sessions (Sept-June)
Student reading books for Fall and Spring
Math number line for each new participant
Resources related to literacy, math and more
Access to the LP Online resources
Access to a private LP Online Facebook page

Richmond - Moms' Lunch
2023-06-03 12:00 - 13:30
Richmond Moms’ Lunch
Join other Moms’ of children or loved ones with Down syndrome for supporting, sharing ideas and friendly chatting.
June 3, 2023 @ 12:00PM — 1:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Capital Ale House 4024 Cox Rd
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Sign up here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56454-richmond-moms-lunch

Fredericksburg Summer Picnic
2023-06-06 11:30 - 13:30
June 6 – Picnic in the Park
11:30 – 1:30 pm, Memorial Park
Enjoy music & carnival games!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56460-fredericksburg-summer-picnic-in-the-park

River City Inclusive Gym - 3:00 - 3:45 pm - Ages 2 to 12
2023-06-10 15:00 - 15:45
River City Inclusive Gym for Virginia Down Syndrome Association
3:00 – 3:45 pm – Ages 2 to 12
4:00 – 4:45 pm – 13 to Adult
$5 per class
June 10, July 8, Aug. 5
Sign up for each individually. Choose the dates that work in your schedule.
River City Inclusive Gym class is designed to engage each athlete physically and mentally. Each class is set in obstacle course format. This provides us optimum opportunity to instruct 1:1 while the whole group stays engaged. Upon entering the gym, the athletes begin their first course right away. As they go through the course, every obstacle or piece of equipment is adapted to meet individual needs if necessary. After 15 minutes the class takes a water break before beginning the next course.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/55826-river-city-inclusive-gym

River City Inclusive Gym - 4:00 - 4:45 pm - 13 to Adult
2023-06-10 16:00 - 16:45

Sedona Taphouse - Colonial Heights Dine out for VDSA
2023-06-12 11:00 - 21:00, 2023-06-19 11:00 - 21:00
Every Monday in June 2023, enjoy 50% off a great meal at Sedona Taphouse while doing your part for charity.
Colonial Heights Location Only! 435 Charles H Dimmock Pkwy, Colonial Heights, VA 23834
For every HALF PRICE 8 oz. Black Angus Flat Iron Steak, or 7 oz. Norwegian Salmon entrée sold,
Sedona Taphouse will donate $1 to the Virginia Down Syndrome Association.
Rules: You must dine in on a Monday at the Colonial Heights location, purchase a beverage, and the promotion is limited to one entrée per person.
You can’t beat that!

Summer Fun Pop Up - Ice Cream Social
2023-06-13 09:00 - 12:00
We are so excited for this new summer program!

Ages 13 to adult
Tuesdays, 9:00 am to Noon
June 13 to Aug. 8 (no meeting on July 4)
8 weeks
Sign up individually or for all 8 weeks
$10 per week or $70 for all eight.
Virginia Down Syndrome Association staff at each weekly program
Programs led by Sandra Thompson from Sandra L. Thompson & Associates.
Scholarships available.
Email Dana at dzedd@virginiadsa.org for more information.

Dates, Locations and Themes

Tuesday, June 13 – 9am-Noon

Location: Virginia Down Syndrome Association, Activity Room, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd, Richmond, 23229
Theme: Ice Cream Social & Game Day. Kicking off the Summer pop ups with games and ice cream! An enjoyable gathering, making, and eating ice cream, and fun cooperative games.

Sign up and see all dates and themes here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57346-summer-fun-pop-ups

RVA Dads' Outing at Top Golf
2023-06-15 18:30 - 20:30
RVA Dads’ Outing at Top Golf
June 15, 2023 @ 6:30PM — 8:30PM

Top Golf 308 Westwood Ave
Richmond, VA 23230
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56497-rva-dads-outing-at-top-golf

Children's Museum - Free Special Night
2023-06-16 17:00 - 19:00
Children’s Museum – Free Special Night
Join VDSA and the disability community at the Children’s Museum of Richmond at both locations – downtown and Midlothian. These nights are FREE admission, reduced noise, lower lighting, sensory activities and cool down area.
All ages and siblings welcome!

Friday, June 16, 5:00-7:00 PM – Chesterfield location, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr., Midlothian, VA 23112
Friday, July 21, 5:00- 7:00 PM – Downtown location, 2626 West Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56502-children-s-museum-free-special-nights

Fredericksburg Moms' Night Out
2023-06-16 19:00 - 20:30
Fredericksburg Moms’ Night Out
June 16, 2023 @ 7:00PM — 8:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Panera 1760 Carl D Silver Pkwy
Fredericksburg, VA 22401

RSVP here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56486-fredericksburg-moms-night-out-june16-2023

Art in the Park - baby to 12
2023-06-17 10:00 - 12:00
Art in the Park
Times:
10:00 am – 11:00 am – baby to 5 years old
11:00 to 12:00 pm – ages 6 to 12 years old
Art on Wheels will lead the art projects. Siblings, grandparents, etc. welcome!
Park Locations:
Saturday, June 17 – Park Soar 465 – 3600 Saunders Ave, Richmond, VA 23227
Contact Dana Zedd with questions at dzedd@virginiadsa.org
Register: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/56297-art-in-the-park

Happy Father's Day
2023-06-18

Juneteenth
2023-06-19

Summer Fun Pop Up - Nature Day and Scavenger Hunt
2023-06-20 09:00 - 12:00
We are so excited for this new summer program!

Ages 13 to adult
Tuesdays, 9:00 am to Noon
June 13 to Aug. 8 (no meeting on July 4)
8 weeks
Sign up individually or for all 8 weeks
$10 per week or $70 for all eight.
Virginia Down Syndrome Association staff at each weekly program
Programs led by Sandra Thompson from Sandra L. Thompson & Associates.
Scholarships available.
Email Dana at dzedd@virginiadsa.org for more information.

Dates, Locations and Themes

Tuesday, June 20 – 9am – Noon

Location: Rockwood Park, Shelter 4, 3401 Courthouse Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23236
Theme: Nature Day and scavenger hunt. Join us for a nature scavenger hunt and make bird feeders to hang in the park and take one home.

Sign up and see all dates and themes here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/57346-summer-fun-pop-ups
