DSAWM

Developmental Sports
2025-10-14 18:15 - 19:00, 2025-10-07 18:15 - 19:00, 2025-09-30 18:15 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join DSAWM, Autism Support of Kent County, and Special Olympics in our Developmental Sports program. This program will be on Tuesdays from 6:15pm-7:00pm in the SOMI Auxiliary Gym. Developmental Sports is a program designed to teach members aged 8-13 how to participate in a team sport. Participants will be introduced to the basics of team sports play and start to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to play as a team. Developmental Spors will also help build cognitive and social skills and allow kids to see the possibilities in their athletic careers. Sports offerings will vary each week, with each week of the program focusing on a different team sports. Sports will be repeated multiple times throughout the session to help develop and strengthen skills. Email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Please complete 2 quick registrations if you would like to participate:

https://dsawm.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dsawm/eventRegistration.jsp?event=2433&

and

https://forms.gle/APaNxKtsxxvefmBF9

Book Club
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00 | Chapbook Cafe at Schuler Books, 2660 28th St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512, United States
Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month

6:00pm-7:00pm

Schuler Books

Ages 16+

Teens and adults with Down syndrome are invited to join Bobbi for Book Club at Schuler Books on 28th Street. Participants in Book Club will get the chance to read fun books with a group of their peers. After completing a book, members will be invited to a movie night where they will watch a film based on the book they read. All reading levels are welcome. Book Club will meet in the Chapbook Café.

Please email program@dsawm.org with any questions.

Young Athletes
2025-10-14 17:30 - 18:15, 2025-10-07 17:30 - 18:15, 2025-09-30 17:30 - 18:15 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join DSAWM, Autism Support of Kent County, and Special Olympics in our Young Athletes program. This program will be on Tuesdays from 5:30pm-6:15pm in the SOMI Auxiliary Gym. Young Athletes is a sport play program designed for members aged 2-7. Participants will be introduced to the basics of sports and start to build their gross motor skills for future sports participation. Young Athletes also helps to build cognitive and social skills. Email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions!

Please complete 2 quick registrations if you would like to participate:

https://dsawm.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dsawm/eventRegistration.jsp?event=2432&

and

https://forms.gle/Qo31XvBKV38PTmgb6

Shape Up
2025-10-13 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-10-06 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-09-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Shape Up is a fun and exciting health program for members 14 and older. We will meet on Mondays from 6pm-7:30pm in the SOMI Athlete Hub. There will be 45 minutes of nutrition education and 45 minutes of exercise. Here is the zoom link if you are unable to participate in person: https://zoom.us/j/96053773711?pwd=[REDACTED] This zoom link will be the same for every week.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Independent Living Skills
2025-10-13 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-10-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2025-09-29 17:00 - 18:00 | DSAWM Board Room, 160 68th St SW Suite 110, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548, United States
This series of workshops for individuals 14+ will focus on a variety of skills one needs to work towards independence. We will meet every Monday from 5pm-6pm in the DSAWM board room. Please send topic suggestions and questions to our Program Coordinator, Maria, at program@dsawm.org.

Here is the zoom link if you are unable to participate in person: https://zoom.us/j/97658800068?pwd=[REDACTED] This zoom link will be the same for every week.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

DSAWM Fall Festival
2025-10-11 11:00 - 13:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join us for another exciting Fall Festival at our building (160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49548) on October 11th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM! This family-friendly event is open to all ages and will feature face painting, cider, donuts, prizes, and fun fall-themed games and crafts. Halloween costumes are welcome (but not required), so come dressed up and enjoy a festive afternoon connecting with other families and celebrating the season!

Register HERE if you would like to attend!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Buddy Up Tennis
2025-10-11 10:15 - 11:45, 2025-10-04 10:15 - 11:45 | Michigan
Saturdays

MVP Athletic Club, Crahen

10:15am-11:45am

Ages 5+

Buddy Up Tennis is a 90-minute tennis and fitness program specifically created for individuals with Down syndrome, our Athletes. Buddy volunteers are partnered with Athletes to provide support, reinforce instruction, and develop friendships. No tennis experience required!

New Athletes please complete the Buddy Up Tennis Athlete Application and Release Form, click HERE for registration, and sign up on Sign Up Genius.

Returning Athletes please click HERE for registration and sign up on Sign Up Genius.

New Buddies please complete the Buddy Up Tennis Buddy Application and Release, click HERE to complete your Background Check/DSAWM Volunteer Form, and sign up on Sign Up Genius.

Returning Buddies please sign up on Sign Up Genius.

Please email GrandRapidsTennis@buforlife.org if you have any questions.

Kalamazoo Cooking Capers
2025-10-10 17:00 - 18:30 | Western Michigan University Kohrman Hall, 2200 Ring Rd S, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49006, United States
DSAWM is excited to bring Cooking Capers back to Kalamazoo every other Friday from 5:00pm-6:30pm! Cooking Capers is an engaging program led by Western Michigan University nutrition students, designed to teach kitchen independence to participants with Down syndrome aged 12 and up (participants aged 12-15 must have a guardian present). We learn kitchen safety, how to follow recipes, and much more! Western Michigan University is allowing us to use their cooking lab for the program which is in Kohrman Hall. Registration is required to ensure we purchase the right amount of groceries. Once you are registered the DSAWM Program Coordinator can send you parking details and a map of where the cooking lab is located.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Cooking Capers
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-10-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Cooking Capers is a program led by GVSU nutrition students to teach independence in the kitchen for members 12 and older (members 12-15 must have a guardian present). We work on goals and learn kitchen safety, measurements, and more! We cook a delicious 3 course meal each week and enjoy socializing with others. Registrations are required so that we can make sure to accommodate all food allergies and purchase the correct amount of groceries.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions!

Drumming with Arts in Motion
2025-10-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join us on Thursdays from 5pm-6pm for Drumming with Josh from Arts in Motion! This program is for members of all ages and it will be a fun opportunity to work on your rhythm and make some music with friends.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions!

Dance for Teens and Adults
2025-10-08 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-10-01 17:30 - 18:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
Join our Dance program with Molly from Arts in Motion and our intern Molly! This is an adaptive program for all of our teens and adult members aged 13 and older. We stretch, dance, and play percussion instruments while we listen to participant-selected music!

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Karate with Down to Defend
2025-10-08 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-01 16:30 - 17:30 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
DSAWM is partnering with Down to Defend to offer a new 6-week karate class from September 3 – October 8, every Wednesday from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM with Sensei Allison.

This program will focus on:

Confidence Building: Helping participants believe in themselves through achievable goals and positive reinforcement.

Intro to Karate: Learning foundational karate moves in a safe and encouraging environment.

Practical Safety Skills: Understanding the difference between strangers, safe people, and safe places, and building awareness to navigate the world more securely.

This class is more than just self-defense — it’s about equipping participants with the tools they need to feel strong, capable, and informed.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Shape Up for Older Adults
2025-10-07 17:00 - 17:45 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
We’re excited to partner with Senior Neighbors to bring a new Shape Up option for members aged 45 and older. Members aged 45 and older are still welcome to attend our Monday Shape Up program but this new version will feature modified exercises for those who may need extra physical guidance. While our members work out, caregivers can enjoy workshops, support, and meaningful connections.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Friends Just Like Me
2025-10-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is hosting DSAWM for a special event called Friends Just Like Me on October 6th from 5pm-7pm. It will be a night of free play at the Museum after hours so that our members and families will have full access to the space!

Please click HERE to register if you are interested in attending!

Email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Adaptive Archery Clinic
2025-10-04 10:00 - 13:15 | Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St SE, Grand Rapids, 49548
Join DSAWM and Kentwood Parks and Recreation on October 4th at the Kentwood Activities Center for an Adaptive Archery Clinic! This is for members that are 10 years and older. There are 2 sessions and we ask that you please only register for one session so that we can accommodate as many participants as possible. The first session will be from 10:00am-11:15am and the second session will be from 12:00pm-1:15pm. There is a limited number of spots available and they are first come first served so click HERE to sign up!

Please email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

MSU Community Music School: Virtual Music Therapy
2025-10-01 18:30 - 19:30 | Michigan
CMS Music Therapists under the direction of Cindy Edgerton, Director of Music Therapy, will be leading monthly “virtual” music therapy events on the first Wednesday of every month. The participants are split up into two groups based on age, each group will have their own unique Zoom link.

These events are meant to be interactive and there will be a lot of moving around! If you have a streamer, scarf, or your own instrument(s), that’s awesome! If not, feel free to use things you probably have at home already. Spice or sprinkle jars become shakers, a pot and a wooden spoon becomes a drum set!

Please RSVP to Cathy Blatnik at 517-381-1410 or at blatsie63@yahoo.com the Saturday before each monthly event with the following information: first and last name of each participant, birthdate, phone number, and email address.

“Together Let’s Sing, Dance, and Jam!” is generously sponsored by the Mid-Michigan Autism Association and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan.

Mom's Night Out
2025-09-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Mojo’s Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, 180 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, United States
Mom’s Night Out is a monthly program for mothers raising children with Down syndrome. Each month, mom’s have the opportunity to enjoy different activities and come together to connect, share stories, and support each other. DSAWM covers the cost for first-time attendees (excluding alcohol). This month’s gathering is going to be at Mojo’s!

Please email Keri at dsmamas321@yahoo.com to RSVP or if you have any questions.

Dad's Night Out
2025-09-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Broadleaf Brewery, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, Kentwood, Michigan, 49512, United States
Dad’s Night Out is a monthly program for fathers raising children with Down syndrome. Each month, dad’s have the opportunity to enjoy different activities and come together to connect, share stories, and support each other. DSAWM covers the cost of meals for first-time attendees if food is included in the event or ordered as part of the gathering (excluding alcohol). This month the dad’s will be playing pickleball at Broad Leaf Brewing & Spirits! Please complete this registration form if you would like to attend: https://forms.gle/YRKDQTdFhgfoyrsv8

Please email Rich at rich@dsawm.org if you have any questions!
