Empowerment Classes
ESPAÑOL The Value of Chores Ages: 6 - 12 years
Dates: Wednesdays • September 25 - October 23
Time: 6 - 7 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Class Instructor: Joan Dostal, Cincinnati Occupational Therapy Institute
Program Coordinator: Joanie Elfers, School Age Matters Coordinator
Description: Participants will explore a variety of possible chores for your child. Chores build a sense of value to the family and self- esteem. Taking steps toward greater independence in life skills can begin now. Chores can also meet developmental goals such as improving hand skills, motor planning, visual perceptual skills, organization and task completion. Working together with your child, you will explore a variety of tasks to help with household routines such as cleaning, laundry and meal setup/cleanup. Led by an occupational therapist, this will be a time to discuss what is reasonable to expect for your child and what might be a natural progression for taking on more responsibility and growing independence. Register Cheerleading Ages: 6 - 22 years
Dates: Dates TBD; there will be three practices in November and performances throughout the season. Once we can gauge the interest, we will know which day/time to hold practice.
Time: TBD
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Class Instructors: Coach Debbie, Coach Joanie, Coach Lucy
Description: Join Coach Debbie Schroeder (former Ben-Gal), Coach Joanie Elfers, and Coach Lucy to learn the basics of cheerleading as well as a dance routine which will be performed all over the Greater Cincinnati area! After practice sessions conclude, we perform at several high school basketball half-time shows with high school cheerleaders. These performances are optional and Coach Schroeder will announce them at a later date. Each cheerleader will receive a uniform and pom-poms for practices and performances. They get to keep the poms, but we request for the uniforms to be returned at the end of the season in order to keep costs down. We encourage both boys and girls to participate! Register Healthy Relationships Ages: 13 - 17 & 18 - 30
Dates: Mondays • October 28 - November 11
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM (ages 13 - 17) | 6:45 - 8:15 PM (ages 18 - 30)
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Class Instructor: Barbara Thomas, M.ED., CSE, JSOC, CSES
Description: Ages 13 - 17: These three classes will give teenagers and adults with Down syndrome an opportunity to gain information about their bodies, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Parents are welcome to stay on-site, but we ask that they wait in the front lobby. Ages 18 - 30: These three classes will give teenagers and adults with Down syndrome an opportunity to gain information about their bodies, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Topics of sexuality and abuse prevention will also be discussed. Parents are welcome to stay on-site, but we ask that they wait in the front lobby. On the last night, parents of adults 18 - 30 are encouraged to stay a half hour after class for parent Q & A. Barb Thomas is an Education Consultant who offers consultative services in human sexuality. She has forty-five years of experience in Special Education coupled with forty-one years in the field of Human Sexuality. Currently, Barb is the director of Thomas Educational Consulting Services. They offer expert training, education, and consultation services in the field of Human Sexuality Education. She is also the Executive Director of the TALL Institute (Thomas Adventures in Lifelong Learning). The TALL institute offers adult education classes to adults with intellectual and developmental challenges with a focus on socialization and employment opportunities. Register Social Opportunities
ESPAÑOL School Age Matters Sky Zone Ages: 6 - 17 years
Dates: Monday, November 25
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Sky Zone, 11745 Commons Drive Springdale, OH 45246
Description: Come jump with friends on Sky Zone’s wall-to-wall trampoline courts! Sky Zone the originators of wall-to-wall aerial action. The only way to understand it is to experience it. To learn more about Sky Zone, visit their website: https://www.skyzone.com/springdale Please note, the DSAGC will cover the cost of each child/teen with Down syndrome. If siblings attend, you’ll need to pay at the door for their admission. $8.00 for 30 minutes; $10.00 for 60 minutes; $13.00 for 90 minutes. If you don’t own Sky Zone socks, you’ll need to purchase them for $3. We request that a parent/caregiver stay on-site during the event. Register Teen & Adult Holiday Crafting Ages: 13 & up
Dates: Sunday, November 17
Time: 1 - 2:30 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Description: At our annual Holiday Party (held on December 1), we give DSAGC families that attend a homemade gift. We invite teens and adults with Down syndrome to help us make these gifts on Sunday, November 17. This is a great opportunity for adults with Down syndrome to give back and have fun at the same time. Register DSAGC Holiday Party Ages: all ages
Dates: Sunday, December 8
Time: 1 - 3 PM
Location: Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland Miamiville Rd, Loveland, OH 45140
Description: The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati celebrates the holiday season every December by bringing together our families for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, holiday decorating, gifts and more. It’s also a time to honor individuals who have championed our mission and who have served as a constant source of celebration of individuals with Down syndrome. This is a free event, but families that wish to attend must register. Register 21 Series Employment and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities Services Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Saturday, September 21
Time: 10 – 11:30 AM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Presenter: Cynthia Crews
Program Coordinator: Maggie Ranz, Outreach Coordinator
Description: The discussion will focus on how Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities’ (OOD’s) Business Relations team works throughout the state to raise awareness of OOD and our mission with employer partners to promote and support the hiring of individuals with disabilities. Through OOD's network of employer partners, OOD Business Relations Specialists (BRS) identify job opportunities that match our job seekers' skill sets and experience, and also provide services and resources that promote an inclusive and diverse work environment. Register Strategies to Support a Grieving Loved One Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Monday, October 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Presentes: Liz Spanel, Outreach Coordinator, Fernside: Supporting Children and Families Through Grief
Program Coordinator: Jena Wells, Early Matters Coordinator
Description: This presentation is geared toward parents and caretakers of individuals with Down syndrome. How do you explain that a family member has passed away? What resources can you use to aid the discussion? How does the development of a person affect their grief emotions? Can grief be masked as other things? During this presentation you will be given tips about how to understand grief and best support our grieving individuals with Down syndrome. You may not need this information now, but this is information that can be helpful for years to come. We are thankful that Fernside is working with us to understand the grieving process for our loved ones with Down syndrome. Register Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Ages: Parents, Professionals, and Advocates (ages 15 & up)
Dates: Thursday, November 21
Time: 6:30 - 8 PM
Location: DSAGC Office (4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite A Cincinnati, OH 45212)
Program Coordinator: Joanie Elfers, School Age Matters Coordinator
Description: The Jon Peterson Scholarship Program provides scholarships to Ohio students who are eligible to attend kindergarten through 12th grade and have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) from their school district. A representative from the Ohio Department of Education will be discussing specifics in relation to the scholarship. Join us for a very informative evening! Register Family Resources Community Participation Fund We have a limited amount of scholarships available for individuals with Down syndrome to participate in community activities (such as camps, soccer, swim lessons) and therapies. Learn more and Register Hospital Care Packages Is your child (18 years and younger), with Down syndrome, spending three or more days in the hospital? The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati would love to support you during this difficult time. Learn more and Register Community Groups A Community Group is designed to create opportunities for families that have children with Down syndrome to network and share common interests, concerns, challenges, and information. Learn more and Register | 
Wow - Buddy Walk Cincinnati was record-breaking!