December 18th, 2024 - Potawatomi Hotel & Casino hosted its annual Heart of Canal Street charity event on Tuesday, December 18th, in Milwaukee. This year's campaign raised $664,942 to support 30 nonprofits dedicated to helping children. DSAW was honored to be selected as one of the 2024 award recipients!
2024 Updates: Our Future Looks Bright!
DSAW Brand Refresh
Why the update?
Since 1990, DSAW has built a strong brand that carries equity throughout the entire state of Wisconsin—from philanthropic partnerships, chapters, and community organizations to the families, advocates, and people with disabilities in the communities we serve.
With the growth of our organization, new staff hires, and our programs expanding across the state, it only seemed right to update our brand image too.
DSAW turned to Epic Creative, the marketing firm that developed the Think Ability Wisconsin brand identity, to do the same for DSAW. Epic's recommendation was not to create a whole new logo but to stay true to the brand DSAW has developed since 1990 and to elevate the current design of our logo. The elevation of our brand identity both respects our legacy and reflects the evolution of the organization.
Epic's goals for the logo update were as follows:
The Process
DSAW Staff, Board Members, and Stakeholders from across the state were select to review (3) proposed logo updates presented by Epic Creative. After some minor revisions to the initial proposed logos, the final versions were voted on for approval. Epic Creative has developed a Brand Style Guide outlining messaging, logo color schemes, approved brand colors, logo rules, chapter logos, and a corporate font. You can take a look by clicking the button below.
New Corporate Office
We are very excited to announce that the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin will be moving its Headquarters to a new location! Starting in Winter 2024, all programs, services, and operations currently housed at our West Allis location (11709 W. Cleveland Ave) will prepare to move to a new space on the campus of the Carmelite Ministry of St. Teresa in the historic Village of Wauwatosa (1215 Dewey Ave).
Our new, extensive, and versatile space at “The Carmelite” will not only enhance existing opportunities for DSAW participants and families, but will also serve as a launchpad for a wide variety of new ways to meet the needs and ignite the dreams of the broader DSAW community.
Here are some of the exciting features of this new space:
A full-sized gym and basketball court
A separate workout room with workout equipment
Three sizeable classroom spaces with ample storage
A teaching kitchen with individual workstations
On-site laundry amenities to teach independent living skills
Versatile recreational space and cafe-style dining
Private conference rooms
A full building of administrative offices
A highly walkable community with nearby parks, shops, restaurants, libraries, and many other community resources
Looking Back on November 2024
DSAW-Central
In Central WI we gathered 'round the table for a Friendsgiving feast fit for a king! We feasted on turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings then indulged in some friendly competition with bingo and trivia. To top it all off, we got crafty and created some festive DIY decorations. It was a day of good food, good friends, and good times!
DSAW-Chippewa Valley
DSAW - Chippewa Valley had a BLAST this month! We had two high energy fun events starting with our Family event at High Roller Skating and then our Social Hangout group met for a night of fun at Action City!
DSAW-Fox Cities
November was a month full of fun and connection for our DSAW-Fox Cities community! We started the month with an exciting evening at Xtreme Air. The trampolines were a hit, with participants of all ages bouncing, laughing, and having a blast together.
Later in the month, we came together for a heartwarming Friendsgiving gathering at the Building for Kids. Families shared a delicious meal, fostering connections and gratitude in the spirit of the season. Afterward, everyone had the chance to explore the museum, enjoying hands-on exhibits and playful adventures.
DSAW-Green Bay
What a fantastic month with the DSAW-Green Bay community! On Friday, November 1, we had a blast at the Gambler's game, where Self-Advocates enjoyed a fun night of hockey—huge thanks to everyone who joined us and to the Gamblers for making it such a memorable event! The following day, November 2, our Sensory Playgroup at Integrated Sensory was a hit as individuals had a great time climbing, running, exploring, and connecting with each other. We also want to give a special shoutout to the amazing DSAW moms who gathered at Rosati's on Friday, November 8, for a night full of laughter and fun—it was truly a blast! And lastly, our Buddy Up Tennis athletes continue to bring their A-game, with new friendships blossoming between athletes and buddies each week. It's been a week full of connection, fun, and growth—thank you to everyone who made it so special!
DSAW-Kenosha/Racine/Walworth
KRW DSAW families and friends got together on Saturday November 9th for Friendsgiving at River Bend Nature Center! We enjoyed a delicious brunch and had a fun time playing games and decorating cookies.
DSAW-Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties
In the beginning of November, Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties headed to Final Option Studio in Plymouth for our Annual Parkour/Ninja Party! Families were able to enjoy a fun afternoon of ninja training and a huge Nerf war!
On November 16th, our Teens got together for our last Teen Hang Out Club of the year! At this club, we made Holiday cards for a local nursing home and ended with some festive dancing. We are looking forward to our 2025 Teen Hang Out Club Program!
DSAW-South Central
South Central had an exciting November full of connection and growth! We started with an adult Adaptive Bike class, where participants tried 11 different bikes and learned about funding options. Then, we enjoyed a fun Sunday at Whitewater Aquatic Park before gathering for a Friendsgiving Potluck at the DSAW-SC Sun Prairie Center with food, crafts, and Thanksgiving bingo. Our Pillars of Success Relationship classes brought participants together to discuss topics like toxic relationships and meeting new friends. Lastly, our Grandparents Group met with Attorney Heather Wilson, who shared insights on setting up trusts and voting rights for individuals with Down syndrome. A month full of learning, laughter, and community!
Community Connections - SE
This past month was filled with community, connection, and adventure! At the Ability Center Open Gym, participants played wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, and adapted tennis, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie. We enjoyed crisp fall weather at the Milwaukee County Zoo, marveling at lions, giraffes, and other wildlife. A visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum immersed us in diverse art and live exhibits, while the Craft and Relic Holiday Market offered festive shopping and local treats. At the UW-Milwaukee Planetarium, we journeyed to ancient Athens and stargazed under a Grecian sky. A trip to the Waukesha Civic Theatre brought laughter and excitement as we watched a local production of Alice in Wonderland. We celebrated friendship and gratitude at a cozy Friendsgiving hosted by the Jewish Community Center. Finally, we kicked off the holidays with a magical performance of Cirque du Soleil’s 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, where dazzling acrobatics and festive storytelling brought the season to life.
Community Life Skills Hub - SE
We had a packed (and delicious!) November! First up, we whipped up some no-bake pumpkin pie. Next, we welcomed a wonderful group of students from the Nicolet Community Enrichment Transition Program for a lunch in our new Dining Room. It was such a joy to share a meal and some great conversation with these inspiring young people. And to top things off? We hit the pickleball court! With our brand-new paddles and balls in hand, we were sporting some serious pickleball fashion.
Community Life Skills Hub - South Central
Throughout the month of November, we participated in activities about voting rights, healthy eating, coping with stress, and making choices. Participants enjoyed working together to cook a healthy breakfast and make & deliver Veteran’s Day cards. Some of November’s favorite outings included Pizza Ranch, the Post Office, and new volunteering tasks at The Sunshine Place!
This month, participants worked with staff to develop an ongoing list of topics, activities, and outings that they’d like to see offered within our Community Life Skills Hub program. Participant-driven programming is important to us here at DSAW, and we are very thankful for input from participants and families!
Looking Back on October 2024
DSAW-Central
Witches, sharks, and superheroes of all ages gathered for our second annual Monster Mash on October 26th in Central Wisconsin! The event was a spooktacular success, filled with thrilling activities for the whole family. From DJ Buffet rocking the dance floor to piñatas bursting with candy and pumpkin painting , there was something for everyone to enjoy. We danced the night away, creating memories that will last long after Halloween.
DSAW-Chippewa Valley
DSAW-CV enjoyed the crisp, fall air with a spooky fun gathering at Outlaw Farms LLC! We had some fun fall snacks along with pumpkin arts & crafts and spent some time with all kinds of animals! It was great seeing the connections being made between the families!
DSAW-Fox Cities
October in the Fox Cities began with our annual awareness walk, where we welcomed over 1,000 participants and 100 volunteers. It was a beautiful day at our new venue in Grand Chute, filled with music, trampolines, rock wall climbing, a petting zoo, train rides, and more. We wrapped up the event with a 1-mile fun walk along the paved path.
To close out the month, we joined the annual Great Pumpkin Party, sponsored by the Autism Treatment Center. We handed out treats and trinkets to all the ghosts and goblins who visited the many sponsored stations.
DSAW-Green Bay
We had an incredible time tasting apples, petting the animals, playing yard games, enjoying the beautiful fall weather and treating ourselves to the caramel apple bar at Chicken Little Orchard. A few individuals were the lucky winners of the apple giveaway drawings. Thank you Chicken Little Orchard for hosting our event.
Thank you DSAW families and local professionals for joining us at our behavior conference on October 12. Dr Stacy Taylor put on an inspiring session about the complex relationship between Down syndrome and behavior.
DSAW-Kenosha/Racine/Walworth
We had 70 people come out, our largest turnout for an event in our area to date. What a fun time we had together going on hayrides, feeding the animals and much much more.THANK YOU to all of the families and friends who came out to Jerry Smith Pumpkin Farm!
DSAW-Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties
The Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties held our pumpkin event at the Little Farmer in Fond du Lac on October 3rd! We were able to check out the animals, explore the farm, and get a pumpkin!
We were also invited to the Sheboygan North Football game on October 10th to accept an amazing donation from the football team. After that, we held our monthly Teen Hangout Club, where we decorated some pumpkins, played some fall minute-to-win-it games and ate some delicious caramel apples!
DSAW-South Central
October was a great month for South Central! We had our 23rd Annual Awareness Walk on October 6 with over 400 participants, 54 volunteers, and over 20 community partners. We completed 3 different hikes with the Ice Age trail Alliance in 3 different Ice Age Trail communities of Cross Plains, Milton, and Baraboo. Over 40 families enjoyed Schuster's Farm on a beautiful fall day.
DSAW-Southeastern WI
Our new Carmelite space came alive with Halloween spirit as we celebrated our combined Halloween Party and Walk event on October 26th! The energy was electric, the costumes were amazing, and the memories made were unforgettable. Besides celebrating Halloween with our families, we were able to do our favorite walk events - our 21 Showcase and our Top Team Awards!
Home and Community Based Services
Community Connections
Our October had so many fall-themed events! We had a great time exploring the community with DSAW, from bowling to Boo at the Zoo to Music Trivia! With so many unique experiences, we were able to create fun memories and build more connections with our peers.
DSAW Down Syndrome Awareness Month Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who submitted their blue and yellow photos for our Down Syndrome Awareness Month Photo Contest!
Congratulations to our winners!
Caroline
Lucy
Maisy
Check out all of the awesome submissions we had!
DSAW-Statewide Awareness Walk / Halloween Celebration
October 26th 2024 | The Carmelite in Wauwautosa
For the first time in 28 years, DSAW had to cancel its Statewide Awareness Walk due to the lightning. No one was more disappointed than us! We still had to celebrate our awesome teams and families so we were able to move our celebration to our Annual Halloween Party on October 26th, 2024!
Our new Carmelite space came alive with Halloween spirit as we celebrated our combined Halloween Party and Walk event! The energy was electric, the costumes were amazing, and the memories made were unforgettable. Besides celebrating Halloween with our families, we were able to do our favorite walk events - our 21 Showcase and our Top Team Awards!
FOX6-Think Ability Wisconsin News Coverage
October 15st, 2024- Dawn Nuoffer, DSAW CEO and President, and Katie Malnight, from Engauge Workforce Solutions discussed Disability Employment Awareness Month with FOX6 Milwaukee.
DSAW-Greater La Crosse Awareness Walk 2024
October 12th, 2024 | Myrick Park in La Crosse
On Saturday, October 12th, the DSAW-Greater La Crosse Chapter had an amazing day at their 22nd Annual Fall Festival and Awareness Walk! So many families—many new to DSAW—came out, along with neighbors, community members, and, most importantly, our friends and loved ones with Down syndrome and other unique abilities. Highlights of the day included very popular 3-2-1 Tacos for lunch, visits from our friend Brutus the TheraPiggy, face painting, balloon creations, horse-drawn carriage rides around the park, and delicious fresh cotton candy and snow cones!
Thank you to all of the fantastic families, volunteers, and sponsors of our Greater La Crosse DSAW Chapter!
NEW DSAW @ The Carmelite Programming
New programing starts at our new location on November 4th! Check out the available programming in the flyer below!
DSAW- Fox Cities 15th Annual Awareness Walk 2024
October 5th, 2024 | Town Center Park in Grand Chute
On Saturday, October 5th, the Fox Cities chapter hosted the 15th Annual Awareness Walk at Town Center Park in Grand Chute, and it was a wonderful success! We were thrilled to welcome over 1,000 walkers, along with over 100 dedicated volunteers, numerous vendors, and community resource advocates. More than 100 raffle prizes were awarded, and together, we raised an incredible $114,000+ for DSAW-FC, which will help us continue expanding our programs, services, and events.
The weather was perfect, with sunshine and a light breeze (though a little less wind would have been nice!). Families and children had a blast meeting Star Wars characters, visiting the petting zoo, jumping on trampolines, climbing the rock wall, navigating the bounce obstacle course, riding the train, getting their faces painted, snapping fun photos in the photo booth, and enjoying time with friends and family.
This year’s event was a tremendous success at our new walk venue. Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch of grilled hot dogs, thanks to the Appleton Elks, along with bananas and water generously donated by Festival Foods, and chips and fruit snacks. TerraVerde’s food truck provided coffee, and Easy Street Cookies offered tasty treats for purchase.
Thank you to everyone who made this day possible—we couldn't have done it without you!
Another huge thank you to Dream Lit Studios for taking amazing photos!
DSAW-South Central 23rd Annual Awareness Walk
October 6th, 2024 | DeForest’s Fireman’s Park
The DSAW-South Central had a beautiful and windy 23rd Annual Awareness Walk in South Central Wisconsin at DeForest's Fireman's Park on Sunday, October 6. We had over 425 participants, 54 volunteers, and 22 Community Partners. With the generosity of so many people, we reached our goal of $50,000. We had a day filled with bouncy houses, a rock climbing wall, DJ, great food, a petting farm, Disney princesses, and so much more! The highlight was our 21 Showcase program, celebrating and recognizing over 25 individuals with Down syndrome. We added an exercise component called Laps Without Limits: Community in Motion, where participants could go to different stations and participate in different activities, such as dance, yoga, basketball, soccer, and music. We had a GREAT day hanging out with friends, making new friends, and celebrating!
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported us in reaching our goal and creating a memorable event!
Looking Back on September 2024
DSAW-Central
September was a busy month for the Central chapter! We all got together and played a round of mini golf. Some were rockstars on the course getting a hole in one, while others didn't keep score! To end the month, Central hosted their 1st Darts For Down Syndrome fundraiser. 24 dart players from all over Central WI came out to throw darts for Down syndrome. We had so much fun that we decided to make this an annual event!
DSAW-Chippewa Valley
On Sunday, September 29th the Chippewa Valley chapter held their 18th Annual Awareness Walk. With beautiful weather and with over 500 people, this walk was a huge hit! This year they raised $43,000 for their chapter, WOW! Way to go Chippewa Valley!
DSAW-Fox Cities
Fox Cities Xtreme Air nights are back on for the fall & winter! Kids and parents had a great time jumping!
DSAW-Green Bay
September was a busy month for the Green Bay Chapter, with everything from race cars to Brewers games to dental experiences to Sign-N-Play and our amazing Awareness Walk! Families were able to enjoy so many new and fun experiences.
DSAW-Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties
The Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties 15th Annual Mini Golf and Awareness Walk was a huge success! With mini golf, princesses, balloons, the 21 Showcase, and more, our DSAW family members enjoyed the beautiful Sheboygan weather as they celebrated their self-advocates!
DSAW-South Central
South Central had its Pillars of Success Walking & Running Club in September! We had a lot of fun and we’re ready to go for the Ice Age Mammoth Challenge in October!
Home and Community Based Services
Community Connections
We had a lot of fun in our Community Connections program in September! We met up with Pets Helping People, who brought in some friends for us to meet! Next, we went to the Honey Creek Orchard in Cedarburg. Then, we played a friendly game of Pickleball with the Chaverim program and Friendship Circle. September wouldn’t be complete without some awesome parties—like our movie night, Packer party, and then heading to a Brewer game! We also went Mini Golfing and to the Milwaukee Harvest Fair!
Madison-WMTV15 News Coverage - South Central Awareness Walk
October 1st, 2024- South Central Family Michael Griggs and his daughter Nora, and Nita Ambedkar with her son Harsh spoke with WMTV about the upcoming South Central Awareness Walk.
DSAW-Chippewa Valley 18th Annual Awareness Walk 2024
September 29th, 2024 | Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls
The DSAW- Chippewa Valley Chapter held its 18th Annual Awareness Walk on September 29th! The weather was absolutely beautiful, and over 500 people attended! This year, families enjoyed a bounce house, face painters, an amazing 21 Showcase, and some fun raffles!
Thank you to everyone who supported and celebrated in Chippewa Valley! We would also like to thank all of the generous sponsors, raffle donors, and volunteers who made this event so special!
DSAW-Green Bay 16th Annual Awareness Walk 2024
September 28th, 2024 | Capital Credit Union Park in Ashwaubenon
The Green Bay Chapter held their 16th Annual Awareness Walk on September 28th. Their theme this year was "Can't Stop Us! 3-2-1... Go!" and they sure go! With 945 people registered and 53 walk teams, the Green Bay Chapter had an amazing 2024 Walk! With all of the amazing community members, families, and friends who support their walk, they were able to reach and surpass their $100,000 goal!
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!
DIAMOND - $5000
The Village Companies
GOLD - $2500
American Foods Group
Vos Electric
Humana/HumanaShares
SILVER - $1000
Alpha Automotive
Amerilux
Caroline's Crew
Dallaire Realty
Della Jewelry Co.
Engage Orthodontics
First Impressions
Furnitureland
Lux Life Chiropractic
Nelson Tactical
Skinkis Lawn & Landscape
Stanley Black & Decker
Stiegler Company
Thrivent (4- $250 gift cards)
BRONZE - $500
AON
Bath Concrete
Bay insurance
Best Enterprise
Black Sheep Pub & Grill
Casco Lions
DePere Christian Outreach
Festival Foods (water/banana)
HJ Martin
Howard Fire Auxiliary
IEI Contractors
KOS Realty
McKeefry & Sons
My Choice (state level)
Schneider
Tropical Smoothie
Village of Howard
VPC
Russ & Lavonne Sweger
Green Bay-Local 5 Live (WFRV Channel 5) News Coverage- Green Bay Awareness Walk
September 20th, 2024- Green Bay Advisory Board Member Matt Kosak, along with Self-Advocate Steve Pyne, recently appeared on Local 5 Live (WFRV Channel 5) to promote the 2024 DSAW-Green Bay Awareness Walk.
DSAW-Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties Mini Golf and Awareness Walk 2024
September 14th, 2024 | Harbor Pointe Mini Golf in Sheboygan
On September 14th, the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin - Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties held their 15th Annual Mini Golf and Awareness Walk at Harbor Pointe Mini Golf in Sheboygan! With mini golf, princesses, balloons, the 21 Showcase, and more, our DSAW family members enjoyed the beautiful Sheboygan weather as they celebrated their self-advocates!
A huge thank you to the Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties families, friends, donors, sponsors, advisory board, and volunteers for a successful Awareness Walk!
Looking Back on August 2024
DSAW-Central
The backyard BBQ was a huge hit in Central WI! Families enjoyed delicious food, fun yard games, and thrilling boat-tubing rides. It was the perfect summer day filled with laughter and good company.
DSAW-Chippewa Valley
In August, we were a small but mighty cheering squad for the Eau Claire Express. It was an exciting final inning, and the Express held off the Border Cats in a 6-5 win!
DSAW-Fox Cities
Fox Cities Back to School Ice Cream Social was held on Tuesday, August 27th at Town Center Park, showcasing our new walk location. The ice cream was graciously donated by Culver’s for all to enjoy!
Fox Cities hosted the annual Evergreen Camp Day on Monday, August 19th. We had 26 families (over 100 participants!) come together for a day of swimming, sand castle making, mini golf, fishing and many more activities. It was a great day meeting new friends!
DSAW-Green Bay
In August, the Green Bay chapter held multiple fun events! We did everything from mini-golfing to sailing to heading to Evergreen Campground to park meet-ups! Participants at our sailing event experienced both sailing and kayaking. Our Park meet-up at Otumba Park in Sturgeon Bay was a little wet and cold, but we still had fun! We also headed out to Mini Golf at The Ruins in Oconto on Friday, August 23. Participants could play regular mini-golf or glow mini-golf (when it was dark out). There was music and lights during the glow portion. Our self-advocates really enjoyed the glow golf.
Statewide, our families enjoyed the awesome Evergreen Camping Day in Wild Rose! Overall, we had a busy and fun August!
DSAW-KRW
KRW Picnic in the Park on August 25th with 21 attendees. Picnic in the Park located at Petrifying Springs, we rented a pavilion next to one of the playgrounds and families brought outdoor games and a dish to pass! DSAW provided Jimmy Johns mini sandwiches. What a fun day filled with smiles and sunshine!
DSAW-Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties
Sheboygan and Surrounding Counties had a sail-tastic time with SEAS on Sunday! This is one of our favorite events of the summer, and the weather was absolutely perfect for enjoying the waves of Lake Michigan. Our families went out on the lake with a SEAS instructor to learn about sailing and sailboats. Some self-advocates even got the opportunity to steer the boats!
On August 10th, we headed out to the Dock Spider’s last game of the season! We had so much fun cheering them on as they won their game!
DSAW-South Central
August was a busy month for our South Central Chapter! To start the month off strong, we had a Pool Party and Picnic in Lodi. It was a splashtastic time! Next, we had our Forward Madison FC Soccer Game on August 10th. We also had our weekly ASL classes at the Rotary Gardens in Janesville throughout the month!
Towards the end of the month, we had our Pillars of Success Walking and Running Club and our Adaptive Cycling program that we held with GiGi’s Playhouse, Bike Fed, and Madison Adaptive Cycling. It was a fun August for us!
DSAW-Southeastern
On Wednesday, August 14th, our Southeastern chapter hosted its 28th Annual Pip & Homer Golf Classic! This is one of our favorite fundraisers of the year and includes many local organizations and recognizable community figures. The weather was beautiful, and we couldn't have asked for a better day!
A huge thank you to Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of Southeast WI, who presented us with a check for $53,000 from their July golf outing! We would also like to thank our exceptional golfers, donors, self-advocates, staff, board members, and volunteers who made this event successful.
Home and Community Based Services
SPARK Connections
SPARKS Connections is one of our summer programs offered in West Allis! During this 11-week program, participants work on developing their social, emotional, and physical wellness skills while learning how to build and maintain friendships. In August, participants worked on calming techniques, tone of voice, and attention to detail!
EXTRAOrdinary Adventures
Our 11-week DSAW program is a versatile adventure that caters to a wide range of interests for 8-17-year-olds. In August, we enjoyed Water Week, Storybooks: Fairies & Friends, and Let’s Build It!
DSAW Headquarters is Moving!
We are very excited to announce that the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin will be moving its Headquarters to a new location! Starting Fall 2024, all programs, services, and operations currently housed at our West Allis location (11709 W. Cleveland Ave) will prepare to move to a new space on the campus of the Carmelite Ministry of St. Teresa in the historic Village of Wauwatosa (1215 Dewey Ave). Final dates will be announced as soon as we are able. We are currently pending a Wauwatosa Plan Commission meeting on September 9th and a Common Council meeting on September 24th.
WISN 12 Coverage - Think Ability Wisconsin
August 15, 2024 - Think Ability Wisconsin and Sam Elfner were featured in a news article about disability employment. Sam was able to share about his work at Steinhafels in Waukesha. Click to read more about Think Ability Wisconsin and Sam’s interview!
