Empowering Individuals. Supporting Communities.
As DSAWM celebrates our 40th anniversary, we invite you to “Step Right Up” and celebrate carnival-style at the 2025 Step Up for Down Syndrome event! Step Up for Down Syndrome is the largest Down syndrome awareness event in Michigan and the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan’s (DSAWM) biggest fundraiser. This year’s celebration will be […]
This summer, teens and adults with Down syndrome (ages 12 and up) are invited to join Rapid Runners, a fun and supportive running program where we train together for the LMCU Bridge Run 5k on September 14th! We meet at the pavilion at Manhattan Park to warm up, then participants are paired with volunteers to walk/run […]
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. […]
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, […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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!
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 […]
Participants and volunteers that have been training in our Rapid Runners program are able to participate in the LMCU Bridge Run 5k for free! The 2025 Bridge Run will take place on SUNDAY, September 14 and will be located on the west side of the 6th Street Bridge (use 731 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, 49504 in […]
160 68th St. SW, Ste. 110
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Located inside the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center
616-956-3488
Monday – Thursday | 9:00am – 5:00pm
