Kids Sing-Along with Arts in Motion
2025-06-10 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Detroit) | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
DSAWM is partnering with Arts in Motion for a fun and interactive Kids Sing-Along program on Tuesdays from 4pm-5pm. Bring your voices and sing along with your favorite songs, from kids’ classics to Disney to radio hits.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

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

Summer Stars
2025-06-10 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, 49548
Summer Stars is a free program for children with Down syndrome aged 7-12 or in grades 1-6. Through a variety of thoughtfully designed activities, including games, crafts, and outdoor play, the program helps children make progress on their IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals while supporting their overall development. Summer Stars will take place Monday-Thursday from June 9th-August 7th skipping June 19th, June 30th-July 3rd, and July 21st-July 24th. The program runs from 1:00pm-4:00pm with an optional early drop-off available at 12:00pm and the option to stay for extra programming offered from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis so be sure to complete this application by May 8th to be considered for participation.

Please click HERE to complete the application if you have a child who is interested in attending Summer Stars.

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

Rapid Runners
2025-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Manhattan Park, 3180 Cascade Rd SE, East Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
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 for an hour around East Grand Rapids. DSAWM covers the cost of the race for both participants and volunteers.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

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

Developmental Sports
2025-06-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
The Developmental Sports program, in partnership with Special Olympics and Autism Support of Kent County, is designed to introduce children with developmental disabilities, ages 7-13, to a variety of physical activities. This program will be on Mondays from 4pm-5pm. Each week, we focus on teaching the basics of sports, helping participants develop essential athletic, cognitive, and social skills. The program allows kids to build sportsmanship while also exploring the possibilities in their athletic development. Sports vary and are repeated multiple times throughout the season to reinforce and strengthen skills.

Please register HERE if you would like to participate!

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

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Production of Waitress
2025-06-05 19:30 - 22:00 | Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave N, Grand Rapids, 49503, United States
We’re excited to partner with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre as part of their Community Preview Night program! This special opportunity allows our members and families to enjoy an exclusive first look at upcoming productions. Join us for a free performance of Waitress on June 5, 2025!

Please click HERE to reserve your tickets.

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

MSU Community Music School: Virtual Music Therapy
2025-06-04 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.

Lakeshore Kibu Program
2025-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Third Reformed Church, 111 W 13th St, Holland, Michigan, 49423, United States
Come join us for our Kibu program for members aged 4 and older on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Loutit District Library (Program Room A) in Grand Haven OR the Third Reformed Church in Holland! The program will take place in Grand Haven one month and in Holland the next, alternating between the two locations each month. We’ll have an evening of fun, movement, and connection. Kibu is a virtual platform featuring videos designed specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities. This month we will be in Holland.

Register HERE if you would like to attend!

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

Mom's Night Out
2025-05-28 18:30 - 19:00 | Break Room Therapy, 7988 Clyde Park Ave SW, Byron Center, Michigan, 49315, 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. This month’s gathering is going to be at Break Room Therapy where you can physically release your frustrations in a safe space by using a bat to smash glass. Ever been told to scream into a pillow? Why be quiet? Let it go: scream if you are compelled to and just take that swing of a bat to a set of dishes and physically see your emotions release. It will be $35 a person.

A reservation needs to be made for this event so please email Keri at dsmamas321@yahoo.com to RSVP.

Book Club
2025-05-27 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-13 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.

Office Closed for Memorial Day
2025-05-26 00:00 - 23:59 | Michigan

Kalamazoo Family Night Out
2025-05-24 16:30 - 19:30 | Ripple Effects Inclusion Center, 2255 W Centre Avenue, Portage, Michigan, 49024, United States
DSAWM is very excited to announce Family Night Out (FNO) for Kalamazoo area families at Ripple Effects Inclusion Center! Ripple Effects is an inclusive facility that has space for families of all ages and stages. We hope that utilizing this space will provide a space for entire families to get to know and support each other no matter what stage of life they are in from pregnancy to adulthood. Ripple effects has spaces for infants and kids to safely play, but they also have a video game room, a pool table, and a foosball table for older kids and adults to enjoy. For this Family Night Out event there will be someone from Disability Network of Southwest Michigan to talk and answer questions about SSI and SSDI.

We are hoping to also eliminate food concerns by allowing families to bring their own food that meets their unique needs and preferences so please bring your own food. This could be a simple sandwich or take out from a fancy restaurant – whatever is best for your family. We will provide drinks.

Register HERE! Please email katherinejane@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Aging with Down Syndrome Meeting
2025-05-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, 49548
Caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome are invited to this support group that meets every month. The Aging with Down Syndrome Meetings are sponsored by DSAWM and Alzheimer’s Association. Participants share experiences and discuss the process of caring for loved ones growing older with Down syndrome. Meetings are typically on the fourth Monday of every month but the May meeting with be on the third Monday to avoid having it on Memorial Day.

Please register HERE if you are interested in attending and email program@dsawm.org if you have any questions.

Self Advocate Board Meeting
2025-05-19 17:00 - 18:00 | DSAWM Board Room, 160 68th St SW Suite 110, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49548, United States

CTC Therapeutic Play and Learn Group
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-05-10 10:00 - 11:15, 2025-05-03 10:00 - 11:15 | Michigan
Saturdays

DSAWM Playroom

10:00am-11:15am

Ages 0-5

We are collaborating with the Comprehensive Therapy Center (CTC) to offer free Therapeutic Play and Learn groups again for more fun therapy and learning activities! This 5 week program will be on Saturdays from 10:00am-11:15am in the DSAWM playroom for members aged 0-5. These Therapeutic Play and Learn groups are facilitated by professionals such as Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Counselors.

Registration is open HERE!

If you have any questions please email program@dsawm.org

Kalamazoo Theatre Class
2025-05-13 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-05-06 16:30 - 17:30 | Carver Center Studio, 426 S Park St, Kalmazoo, Michigan, 49007, United States
Tuesdays

4:30pm-5:30pm

April 15th-May 13th

DSAWM is partnering with the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre to offer a series of Theatre Classes! Step into a world of creativity and fun with Imagine That! Through games, movement, storytelling, and improvisation, students will explore big emotions, build confidence, and bring their imaginations to life. With a focus on play and self-expression, this inclusive class welcomes members aged 5 and up to discover the joy of theatre in a supportive, engaging environment. Whether acting out a favorite story, creating new characters, or playing interactive theatre games, every class is filled with laughter, learning, and the magic of theatre! If you are interested in attending, there are 2 quick registrations to complete.

Click HERE for the theater’s registration (the code is Spring25) and click HERE for DSAWM registration.

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

Lakeshore Kibu Program
2025-05-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Loutit District Library, 407 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, Michigan, 49417, United States
Come join us for our Kibu program for members aged 4 and older on the first Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Loutit District Library (Program Room A) in Grand Haven OR the Third Reformed Church in Holland! The program will take place in Grand Haven one month and in Holland the next, alternating between the two locations each month. We’ll have an evening of fun, movement, and connection. Kibu is a virtual platform featuring videos designed specifically for individuals with developmental disabilities. This month we will be in Grand Haven.

Register HERE if you would like to attend!

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

2025 Winners Cup Benefit
2025-05-03 17:00 - 23:55 | Kent Country Club, 1600 College Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49505, United States
This year’s event, hosted on Saturday, May 3rd by the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation, marks the 21st Winners Cup Benefit and the 40th anniversary of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan. Guests will join us at the beautiful Kent Country Club, and enjoy the running of the annual Kentucky Derby during a lively cocktail hour and strolling dinner. Following will be an engaging program featuring guest speaker, Chris Nikic, an accomplished Ironman athlete and public speaker who is breaking barriers for the Down syndrome community. The evening concludes with a premier live auction, networking, live music, and dancing.

To find more information, sponsor the event or purchase tickets, follow the link! https://fundraiser.support/winnerscup2025
