Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati

On March 21st, downtown Cincinnati will be lighting up BLUE and YELLOW at dusk for World Down Syndrome Day! ?? Paycor Stadium ?? Great American Ballpark ?? TQL Stadium ?? Fountain Square ?? …possibly more to come! In addition, we will have a LAMAR billboard throughout the tri-state and photos of individuals with Down syndrome on the Fountain Square LED BOARD from 6 – 7 pm! Visit www.dsagc.com/wdsd to submit your loved one with Down syndrome’s photo for the Fountain Square display! One lucky winner will be chosen at random to be featured on our LAMAR billboard! Deadline to submit is March 9. Don’t forget to stop by our TOGETHER FOR DOWN SYNDROME mural downtown at 209 East 12th Street. This mural serves as a way for serves as a way for our entire community to celebrate the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome!

A HUGE thank you to our friends at Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry for hosting our first-ever Pediatric Dental Day! On Saturday morning, children and teens with Down syndrome could receive a FREE dental cleaning or forego the cleaning and use the opportunity as an introduction to dental care. Visiting the dentist can cause significant sensory challenges and anxiety. During our Pediatric Dental Day, the staff at Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry provided a relaxed environment and made accommodations for a positive dental experience. By collaborating with community partners, we strive to foster inclusion leading to a more equitable future for those with Down syndrome.

Last week, we partnered with Queen City Clay to offer a unique experience for adults with Down syndrome! Our personalized pottery class helped adults refine motor skills, increase creativity, and reduce stress...all while having fun! Each participant created their own custom piece. We had a long waitlist for this opportunity, so we will definitely be back soon! Our programs focus on therapeutic, recreational, educational, and social opportunities for all ages and stages. We tailor our offerings to reflect the need of our local families as we strive to provide valuable support and quality programs for those in our community. Learn more at www.dsagc.com/programs.

We ?? our adaptive cooking classes! Together, we have fun and learn important life skills in an inclusive learning environment. ?? Nutrition Knowledge ?? Teamwork & Collaboration ?? Kitchen Safety ?? Problem Solving ?? Comprehension ?? Communication ?? Self-Determination ….and so much more! Big thanks to our community partners Boltz To Nutz Farm LLC!

We partnered with Perfect North Slopes to offer individualized adaptive ski lessons for kids, teens, and adults with Down syndrome?! ?? Each lesson was customized ensuring a safe, fun, and empowering experience. It was amazing to see our skiers develop skills at their own pace while building confidence along the way! ?? Our programs focus on therapeutic, recreational, educational, and social opportunities for all ages and stages. We tailor our offerings to reflect the need of our local families as we strive to provide valuable support and quality programs for those in our community. Learn more at www.dsagc.com/programs. New spring programs released March 1st.

Congratulations to DSAGC mom, Jenetta Thomas, on receiving the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award from the CCHMC African American Professional Advisory Council. We are partnered with her nonprofit?Hearts in the Park to honor & celebrate Black History Month!

Congratulations to DSAGC board member, Caitlin Smith, for being named Champion for Children Employee of the Month! Caitlin is a DSAGC mom, board member, advocate, and Parent Mentor at Warren County Educational Service Center. Warren County ESC says, “Caitlin’s unwavering positivity and dedication shine through in everything she does, making a lasting impact on the families and students she supports. Her passion and commitment to empowering parents and fostering strong connections are what make her a true champion.”

It is with great pleasure to announce our new Executive Director, Beth Smith. Beth’s career started as a special educator and intervention specialist. Utilizing her special education background, she started as a service coordinator at Pathways to Home where she facilitated resources for children with IDD and complex medical needs. She experienced progressive growth during her 23-year tenure at Pathways to Home, and for the last 10 years, she served as their Executive Director. As the Executive Director at Pathways to Home, she tripled the size of the organization by adding numerous programs that addressed community needs. She was the driving force behind large initiatives including a second location, Community Navigation Program, and Food Pantry Initiative. In addition, Beth secured grant funding and donations to expand staff and services. She is a mission-driven leader who cares deeply about those she serves. Please join us in warmly welcoming her to our DSAGC family! Beth will officially start on Monday, November 4th.

We invite you to our Transition Fair on Saturday, October 5 from 11 am – 1 pm at the DSAGC Empowerment Center! ???? This event is for students and their parents/caregivers who are preparing to transition out of school. This is an open house event with light lunch provided. You will have the opportunity to learn about local educational and employment support options. ?Great Oaks ? Pathways ? Transition Living Classroom ? Warren County Project Search ? The Point Arc ? Northern Kentucky University Project Search ? The Ohio State University ? Easterseals Redwood ? LADD ? BAWAC ? New Perceptions ? and more! PLUS – all students who register and attend will be entered to win a brand-new CHROMEBOOK! ?? Register online at https://lnkd.in/g-n3g8BQ.?

We are thrilled for our friends at the Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities! ? This expansion will allow increased access to unique medical care for our adults with Down syndrome! We are so lucky to have this resource here in Greater Cincinnati. We appreciate Dr. Lauren Wang and her staff for all they do in our community! UC Health expanding center for developmental disabilities (cincinnati.com)