2018: Making a Difference
It's been a busy and exciting 2018! On behalf of Arkansas Down Syndrome Association (ADSA), thank you so much for your engagement; our community programs would not be possible without your involvement and support! 
Along with the many events and programs listed below, we’re proud to announce that ADSA recently joined the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce this year! We’re also proud to share that one of our Board members, James Hunt MD, is involved with Global Down Syndrome Foundation in developing the first-ever Adult Healthcare Guidelines for people with Down syndrome, and he recently received a 2018 Golisano Health Leadership Award from Special Olympics International! 

Some of our 2018 events and programs:
Free Book (covers birth to age 5 years)
Families in Arkansas can get a free copy of “Babies with Down Syndrome, A New Parents Guide” from Woodbine House publishing, simply by registering for same on our website.
 
Hospital Visa Gift Cards ACH Little Rock (LR)
When DS families are admitted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in LR they can apply on our website to receive a $25 visa gift cards (limit 4 per family per admission) to help with their needs. We hope to expand this service to ACH NWA in 2019.
 
In February we hosted a free IEP workshop (with childcare included!)—and gave away two sets of Wright’s Law Special Education books (valued at $75 each).

In March , we held our 14 th annual Spring Dance ; Renee Shapiro served as emcee, and Miss Arkansas, Maggie Benton, came to visit!

On World Down Syndrome Day March 21 (3/21), we also arranged for Governor Asa Hutchinson to sign a Gubernatorial Proclamation in recognition , and we had the downtown LR and river bridges light up blue and yellow in celebration!  

In June we hosted ADSA Family Zoo Day with a $2 admission fee (and rented the pavilion to provide a shady spot for rest and serve refreshments) for Arkansas DS families. We are planning a repeat in the Spring of 2019 and hope to make it free to our families !

This year , we held our first set of Mom's Night Out dinners—for moms to enjoy a free meal and connect with other DS moms. We had 12 moms attend the October dinner, from several central Arkansas cities (whose children ranged in age from 9mo –mid 30’s)! Planning another Mom’s Night Out after the holidays !

In October we kicked off Down Syndrome Awareness Month on Saturday, October 6, 2018 with our 5 th Annual ADSA Block Party (another free event for families) at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock. Families enjoyed lunch, carousel rides, games, snow cones, and other activities. A Child Safety Representative from ACH offered car seat inspections, and the members of the Pulaski County Sheriff Department SWAT team brought equipment and an assault vehicle for families to explore. Over 150 people attended the event! 

December 2, 2018 was our 14 th Annual Christmas Party , held at That.Church in Sherwood. This event was also free for our families, with food, activities for all ages—including games, crafts, dancing— and pictures with Santa Claus! Over 120 people attended the event!

ADSA’s mission is to empower people with Down syndrome—and their families—by promoting community education, evidence-based healthcare, and social opportunities across lifespans. To that end, we provide ongoing annual activities, special events and community programs.

 We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ; all your end-of-year donations are tax deductible and stay here in Arkansas! Your support allows us to continue producing most of our educational and social events at no-cost or reduced-cost to Arkansas families—as well as provide important free community programs!  
Arkansas Down Syndrome Association | 501-223-3696 | contact@ardownsyndrome.org | ardownsyndrome.org