Virginia Down Syndrome Association

Virtual-Infant&Toddler
2025-03-11 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-18 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-25 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom

Improvaneer - Winter Session
2025-03-13 19:00 - 20:00
The Virginia Down Syndrome Association is excited to start the virtual Improvaneer Method 5 week class again!!
7:00 to 8:00 pm

Returning and new participants welcome!
Teens and adults are welcome to sign up!

The Improvaneer Method:
Teaches participants:
Eye Contact. Creative Thinking. Adaption To Change. Quick Thinking. Focus. Listening. Voice Projection. Character Development. Attention To Detail.
Structure:

Each class lasts one hour and has a theme, a discussion, five games, and ‘homeprov’ that the participants are to practice with friends and family.
In each class we will gradually build in real world scenarios by mostly playing games that imitate various jobs, situations, and connections in real life.
Each week parents will receive an outline of what is coming up in the class.
After the class, emails will be sent to with ‘homeprov’ reminders.

Note from Rob Snow – CEO and Creator
The Improvaneer Method Way focuses on supporting our mission while maintaining immense respect, admiration, and support for the individuals utilizing the program. At all times, we will create a positive learning atmosphere that incorporates fun, humor, and discipline into the achievement and ultimate practice of this skill.
Learn more:
https://www.theimprovaneermethod.com/
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/81220-virtual-improvaneer-winter-2025

Richmond - Painting Class
2025-03-14 12:30 - 13:30
Richmond – Painting Class in Midlothian

Fridays
12:30 to 1:30 pm
$15 per person
Open to All Friends with Disabilities
Dates: January 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11 and May 9
Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Ln, Midlothian

Register here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/80656-painting-class-at-art-factory-winter-spring-2024

11th Education & Transition Conference
2025-03-15 09:00 - 16:00
Join more than 400 general and special educators, parents, and other professionals from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region to discover how to better educate children and young adults with disabilities.
Reynolds Community College
Parham Road Campus
1651 E. Parham Road
Richmond, VA 23228
9am-4pm
Register here.

River City Inclusive Gym - Henrico/Richmond - Ages 2-8
2025-03-15 15:00 - 15:45
River City Inclusive Gym – Winter/Spring 2025 Ages 2 to 7

River City Inclusive Gym: 11248 Patterson Ave Henrico, VA 23238

Monthly on Saturdays
Jan. 18, March 15, April 19 and June 7
3:00-3:45 pm – Ages 2-8
$10 per session
Space is limited and Siblings welcome
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/80658-river-city-inclusive-gym-winter-spring-2025-ages-2-to-8

River City Inclusive Gym - Henrico/Richmond - Ages 9 to adult
2025-03-15 16:00 - 16:45
River City Inclusive Gym – Winter/Spring 2025 Ages 8 to adult

River City Inclusive Gym: 11248 Patterson Ave Henrico, VA 23238

Monthly on Saturdays
Jan. 18, March 15, April 19 and June 7
4:00-4:45 pm – Ages 9 and up
$10 per session
Space is limited and Siblings welcome
Register here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/80659-river-city-inclusive-gym-winter-spring-2025-ages-9-to-adult

Rock Your Socks - Local Pick Up
2025-03-17 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-18 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-20 16:00 - 19:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by Rocking your Socks!
On March 21st every year, people all over the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored socks. The date is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome, and socks were chosen because the Ds chromosomes look like mismatched socks! On March 21, 2025, Virginia Down Syndrome Association will join businesses, schools, and organizations everywhere to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by rocking our fun socks!

Local Pick Up is available for all orders. Shipping is provided only for orders of 25 pairs or more.
Deadline for orders is Monday, March 18th
Local pick-up dates:
3/17 – 4:00pm-7:00pm
3/18 – 9:00am-1:00pm
3/20 – 4:00pm-7:00pm

VDSA Office: 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124 Richmond, VA 23229

Orders that need to be shipped will begin shipping the week of March 10th. Place your order here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/80325-rock-your-socks-2025
Socks are $6/pair for adults and $5/pair for youth.
Anyone can participate! Whether you are an individual, family, small business, large organization, or school, you can purchase fun socks from VDSA. You can then distribute them however you like! Here are some fun ideas:

Businesses can purchase socks to give or sell to their employees to wear and have a fun, team-building day on March 21st.
Organizations and businesses can purchase socks to sell at their location to patients, customers, or clients.
Schools can purchase socks and have their students create a fun contest for which classrooms have the most students wearing fun, silly socks!
Families can purchase socks to give to their hairdresser, mechanic, dentist, doctor, neighbors, etc.
Individuals can purchase socks to wear and bring awareness to this awesome day!

The next step is to wear your socks on 3/21 and be sure to take pictures, post on social media and tag us! The goal is to bring awareness to this day and celebrate individuals with Ds.
Still have questions? No problem! Please visit our FAQ linked here, or email us at rmoss@virginiadsa.org.

Virtual - Improvaneer
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-27 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom

World Down Syndrome Day
2025-03-21

VDSA Goes to the Movies
2025-03-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Regal West Tower, Regal West Tower, Richmond, Virginia, 23294
Join VDSA in Observing World Down Syndrome Day at Regal West Tower Theater for a Screening of Snow White!
The movie starts at 7:00 pm, but we will be there at 6:00 pm to start the celebration!!

Register Here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84362-vdsa-goes-to-the-movies

Richmond - Parent Night Out Respite Night
2025-03-22 16:00 - 19:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Self-Care Time for Caregivers!
We all love our kids, and we all need some adult time too. Enjoy some time away while VDSA keep your children ages 5 to 16 safe and occupied! This event is open to families of individuals with Down syndrome and their siblings. For our Parent Night, we are accepting participants ages 5 to 16. Email Kim to join the waitlist for this event if registration is closed: kwoodbury@virginiadsa.org.

The VDSA Parents Night Respite Event will take place on Saturday, March 22nd from 4 pm- 7 pm at the VDSA’s office (1504 Santa Rosa Rd. Henrico, VA 23294). Individuals with Down syndrome (5 -16) and their siblings (5-16) are welcome at this event. Games and activities will be provided for the attendees. Please bring a labeled bagged dinner (something that does not need to be heated) and a water bottle as well as any other supplies your children may need during their time with us.
When you register, please add tickets for all of the children that will attend. You will also receive an email requesting additional information about your children that will assist us as we care for them on 3/22. We must receive all of the information back before Thursday 3/20 to ensure your family’s participation.
VDSA staff along with volunteers (who have all passed criminal background checks) will be on sight to supervise the attendees. The max attendance for this event is 15 participants so the event will book up quickly! We plan to make these events more regular and offer sessions where we will welcome babies and children under 5 in the future. Stay tuned!
email Kim with questions kwoodbury@virginiadsa.org
Register here – https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/83644-richmond-respite-event

Tri-city Rock Your Socks WDSD Celebration
2025-03-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Deborah School of Dance, 5908 Boydton Plank Rd., Petersburg, VA, 23803
Party March 22 6-8pm. Bring or wear your most funky socks (we will have some to purchase, as well). Bring your favorite craft, or toys to share. Boys bring a sweet snack, Girls bring a salty snack. I will provide lemonade, sweet tea and water.

Resister here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84028-rock-your-socks-wdsd-celebration

March Madness - Williamsburg Moms Night Out
2025-03-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Sal’s by Victor, 1242 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185

Richmond - Dance Day
2025-03-25 17:00 - 19:00 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Enjoy dancing? Join the Virginia Down Syndrome Association and Miracles in Motion for a DAY of Dance. This event provides a safe and welcoming environment for individuals to dance together, learn, and have fun with peers.
Two sessions are available: 5:00 – 5:45 pm for ages 5 to 12, and 6:00 – 6:45 pm for ages 13 to adult.
Miracles in Motion is designed to provide full dance experience to people with special needs. Providing complete dance education, along with structured choreography in a dance company setting. The classes cover many styles of dance including jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, musical theater, and creative movement. Every session is re-structured to meet the specific needs of each dancer participating.
Register here:
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84198-dance-day

Virtual - Reimagining Family Life with Disability
2025-03-26 18:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-09 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Created by speaker and writer Amy Julia Becker, this workshop is for new and seasoned caregivers and covers the following topics:
March 26, Session 1 – Messages our culture gives around disability
April 9, Session 2 – Shifting our own mindset around disability
April 23, Session 3 – Creating a community of support
May 7, Session 4 – Taking steps towards a good future!
As a group, we will discuss our own previous and current views on disability and how we can create supports and pave a positive path as families members on this journey. Each session includes a video to view beforehand and reflection questions.
For additional information, take a look at this video by workshop creator Amy Julia Becker: https://youtu.be/Y6CzJqOtD2c?si=jkvF3Bbe8NxFs5a_
Join our Education Director, Ame Branam, who will facilitate this group. If you have any questions pertaining to content or registration, feel free to reach out at abranam@virginiadsa.org or 804-338-7694.
Register here ($5/person): https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84341-virtual-reimagining-family-life-with-disability-workshop

Tri-Cities Holiday Bowl - Family Style
2025-03-27 17:00 - 20:00 | Holiday Bowl, 11400 Jefferson Davis Highway, Chester, 23237, United States
Join VDSA for a fun family night of bowling at Holiday Bowl located at 11400 Jefferson Davis Highway on March 27th from 5pm to 8pm! $5.25/bowler/game and $4 for shoes.
We hope to see you there!
Have questions? Contact mfreds@virginiadsa.org

Charlottesville Moms' Night Out
2025-03-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Fiesta Azteca, 4300 Three Notch'd Rd, Charlottesville, 22903
Please join fellow VDSA members for Moms’ Night Out
Recharge, socialize, and enjoy some downtime!
March 28th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Fiesta Azteca
4300 Three Notch’d Rd Charlottesville VA 22901
Resister here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/8430…

Richmond Area Moms' Night Out
2025-03-28 19:00 - 21:00
Join other moms in conversation.

The Boathouse Short Pump – March 28, Friday at 7:00 pm

11800 W Broad St #950, Richmond, VA 23233

Wong’s Tacos Midlothian – April 18, Friday at 7:00 pm

1106 Winterfield Crossing, Midlothian, VA 23113

Charred Hanover Mechanicsville – May 16, Friday at 6:30 pm

9325 Chamberlayne Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116

Resister Here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84543-richmond-area-moms-night-out

Tri-cities Family Day Out
2025-03-30 14:00 - 16:00 | 205 Appomattox St Hopewell, VA 23860, 205 Appomattox St, Hopewell, Virginia, 23860
Join us for a stroll along the riverwalk (1 way path with only 1 exit to stop our elopers and enjoy the walk). After walk, we can play on the playgrounds. Next, we can walk up to City Point Ice Cream and Burgers for some dinner and/or dessert (236 E. Broadway Hopewell).

Top Five Questions and Concerns During Puberty
2025-03-31 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Families often experience anxiety when their son or daughter with intellectual disabilities begins to exhibit changes that occur during puberty. In this workshop, parents will learn about the most frequently identified issues and concerns of parents of tweens with I/DD and practical ways to address them. Ideas for teaching, home activities, and useful resources specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities will be shared.
Please come and join us on Monday, March 31st at 6:00 p.m. We will have Terri Couwenhoven, MS present on this topic virtual on Zoom. All registered participants will also have access to a virtual recording of the presentation.
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/83258-top-five-questions-and-concerns-during-puberty

Fredericksburg Easter Egg Hunt Social
2025-04-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Ron Rosner Family YMCA, 5700 Smith Station Rd, Fredericksburg, Virginia, 22407
Get an Early Start on Easter and Celebrate with VDSA – Fredericksburg!
VDSA is pleased to host a Family Easter Egg Hunt Social at Ron Rosner Family YMCA
April 5th from 3pm-5pm
All ages are welcome!
Sign-up here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/85071-fredericksburg-easter-egg-hunt-social

Richmond - Family-Friendly Nature Walk
2025-04-06 10:30 - 12:00 | Huguenot Park, 10901 Robious Rd, Richmond, VA, 23235
Join VDSA for a family-friendly nature walk!
Sunday, April 6 at Huguenot Park
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Will end with snacks and drinks / All ages and siblings welcome!
No charge
https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84006-richmond-nature-hikes-april-6

Led by Beyond Boundaries

Richmond Grandparent Group - April 2025
2025-04-07 18:30 - 19:30 | VDSA, 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124, Richmond, VA, 23229
Connect with other grandparents on a similar journey. This group is peer-led and will promote conversation and connection for caregivers like you. This meeting will take place in-person at our Richmond office. Feel free to bring a bagged dinner!
Register here: https://virginiadsa.networkforgood.com/events/84961-grandparent-support-group
