Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation

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Connecting Communities is an $850,000 capital campaign of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation that will continue to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and communities across 12 West Michigan counties.

Make a Gift

In early 2021, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation (DSAWMF) and Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) moved our headquarters to the new Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center at 160 68th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI. We plan to invest nearly $1 million in our new home, funding program expansion, and enhancing our endowment.

When complete, this project will:

  • Give us opportunities to reach more children, teens, and adults throughout our twelve-county service area.
  • Allow us to partner with other existing agencies that serve those with physical or cognitive challenges by sharing space on the Special Olympics campus.
  • Significantly raise our profile and visibility throughout the community.

We are now approaching those who support our mission to seek your help with this important initiative. Please join us in supporting the Connecting Communities campaign as we seek to help all members of our region reach their full potential.

Make a Gift

“When we showed up with our brand-new baby at an ARC program about independent living for people with Down syndrome, we knew it wasn’t for new parents. But we were desperate to gather information, anything at all, about people with Down syndrome. There was very little available. As people introduced themselves, we found other parents at exactly our stage with the same intent. Finding others on the same journey, with the same questions, gave us comfort, knowledge, and encouragement. The DSAWM was born from that group of parents. We are delighted that today, new parents immediately turn to DSAWM to find answers to questions, others who listen with an open and knowing heart, and knowledgeable, committed staff.”

Steve and Brenda Heacock
DSAWM Founding Members

“Whitney LOVES the DSAWM programs because of the life-long friends she has made over the years doing different events with the DSAWM. She very much enjoys the fact that these are ‘her’ programs with ‘her’ friends.”

Maggie McPhee
Mother of Whitney & Past DSAWM Board President

“The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan provides wonderful opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation ensures that these activities are available through funding and financial support. The purpose of this campaign is to provide sustainability for decades to come for the DSAWM and the DSAWMF. Your investment in this campaign will allow individuals with Down syndrome and their families to continue to learn life skills and provide social interactions with their peers and the community. The smiles created through your support are priceless!”

Bob Boylen
DSAWMF President

Campaign Leadership

Campaign Co-chairs

Rich Kloeckner
Jim Leach

Campaign Cabinet

Joel Blanchard
Erica Bode
Bob Boylen
Alyssa Eckel-Martin
Lisa Glover
Tom Hackett
Ben Hughes
Erin Melcher
Rich & Anne Noreen
Mary & Molly VandeWater
Sheena Vogel
Amy Wigger
Matt Witkowski
Dave Wood

DSAWMF Leadership

Bob Boylen
Katie Hollis
Robin Zondervan
Cameron Dolbow
Tom Hackett
Brad Rivard
Jim Scarlett

DSAWM Leadership

Katie Hollis
Victoria Hart
Melissa Perrin
Peri Phillipi

We Empower Individuals and Create Opportunities.

Since 1985, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) has been providing year-round programs for children, teens and adults with cognitive challenges. In our region, there are hundreds of local residents living with Down syndrome, the most commonly occurring genetic, chromosomal anomaly. Down syndrome occurs in one of 700 births and affects people of all races and socio-economic backgrounds. Individuals with Down syndrome are active participants in educational, vocational, social and recreational activities in their communities. They are included in all education settings, hold jobs, and have valued relationships with their families and within their communities. DSAWM was founded to help these individuals enhance self-esteem, build friendships, and realize their dreams.

DSAWM programs and services are designed to address barriers and support opportunities for people with Down syndrome and their families
throughout their lives.

Learn more about the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan

As the Association grew, our attention turned to how best we could ensure our sustainability for years to come. In 2012, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation (DSAWMF) was established to provide a source of funding to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the West Michigan community.

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Programs for Babies and Young Children:

  • Baby Sign Language
  • New Parent Packet for expectant and new families
  • Playgroups

Programs for School Age Children:

  • Adaptive Water Ski Clinic
  • Buddy Up Tennis
  • iCan Bike Camp
  • Music Therapy
  • Playgroups

Programs for Teens and Adults (14+):

  • Aging with Down Syndrome support group
  • Book Club
  • Buddy Up Tennis
  • Cooking Capers
  • Music Therapy
  • Rapid Runners
  • Recreational, cultural, and social events and outings
  • Shape Up
  • Skill Building Series

Programs for Parents:

  • Financial Assistance
  • Moms’ Night Out & Dads’ Night Out
  • New Parent Packet for expectant and new families
  • Parents for Parents mentoring
  • Workshops and Conferences

The Campaign

Expand our Facility

Expanded office and program space including renovation, furniture, technology, and lease costs.

In January 2021, we moved into the new Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports and Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In doing so we doubled the square footage of our operational and programming space. This will allow us to accommodate additional staff and programs in the future. Funds raised will cover the cost of expansion, renovation, upgrades, and lease costs.

Our new office space SOMI Unified Sports & Inclusion Center

Our new office space SOMI Unified Sports & Inclusion Center

Grow our Programming

Expansion of staff and programming services to better serve our entire 12-county service area.

We currently serve over 350 member families and know that if we could expand into the other nine counties in our area, there would be hundreds of additional families that could benefit from our programs and services. We intend to add 2-3 additional staff members who will be able to expand our existing programs to meet our ever-increasing demand, develop new and exciting programs for our member families, and deliver programs throughout our service area.

Our 12-county service area

Our 12-county service area

Build the Organization

An enhanced endowed fund to build sustainability for our organization.

As the DSAWM grew, our attention turned to how we could best ensure sustainability for years to come. In 2012, DSAWMF was established to hold endowed funds to increase that sustainability for the Association. Annually, DSAWMF grants up to 5% of the current endowment to benefit the Association’s budget. These are much needed funds that are used to run the Association and create opportunities for members and families.

Endowed funds support programs for members like Natalie

Endowed funds support programs for members like Natalie

Help Us Connect Communities

Cost breakdown

The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation’s Connecting Communities campaign is seeking $850,000 in community philanthropy to help move our headquarters to a new location. You can help us achieve this important goal by supporting this campaign through:

  • A one-time cash gift
  • A multiple year pledge commitment (may be paid over a three-year period)
  • A gift of appreciated assets (e.g. stock)
  • An estate gift

Your charitable gift is tax deductible to the full extent of state and federal law. Please check with your tax advisor to determine how your gift may affect your personal tax situation.

Make a Gift

For more information or questions, please contact Katie Hollis, DSAWM Executive Director. She would love to tell you more!

director@dsawm.org
616-956-3488
brochure cover

View the brochure to learn more.

Request a physical copy
Download the abridged brochure

Connecting Communities in the News

Nonprofit launches public phase of $850K fund drive for move to new HQ
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan partners with Special Olympics
WZZM
Down Syndrome Association announces campaign, no location
The Hastings Banner
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Campaign Launch Photo Gallery

Thank you to our generous donors!

The Anderson Group
Building Synergy
Dan Vos Construction Company
Eagle Industrial Group
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
The Hansen Family Foundation
Hope Network Foundation
Huntington National Bank
King Milling Company
Land & Company
Mercantile Bank
Mike and Sue Jandernoa Advised Fund of Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Steelcase
Thrive Pediatric Speech and Feeding Therapy, LLC
The Wege Foundation
West Michigan Eyecare Associates
Chris A. Anderson
Bill and Carol Ashcroft
Dan and Jo Bajema
Chloe Bayer, in honor of Philip Viening
Bill and Amy Bennett, in honor of Christopher Boylen
Joel and Laura Blanchard
Jim and Judy Blanchard
Bode Family, in honor of Sam Bode
Robert C. Boylen
Ed and Linda Bueche
Nate Clark
Bob and Mary Clarkson
Dustin and Jill Daniels
Tom and Jennifer DeVault
Niurka Diaz
Cameron Dolbow, in honor of Whitney Corl and Lauren Hecksel
Brian and Cheryl Doyle
Pete and Anne Eardley
Suzy Gill
Jason and Julie Griffen
Tom and Julie Hackett, in honor of Katie Hackett

Victoria Hart
Steve and Brenda Heacock
Patrice Heffernan, in honor of Christopher Ryan Boylen
Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins
Ben and Dana Hughes, in honor Ellie Hughes
Dave and Jane Hughes
Steve and Robin Klaubo, in memory of Jim Leach Sr.
Rich and Lindsey Kloeckner, in honor of Natalie Kloeckner
The Labadie Family, in honor of Elisa June Labadie
Jim and Michelle Leach, in honor of Corbin Leach
Lona Leach
Kim and Mark Lempke
William and Rochelle Lettinga
Shawn Martin and Alyssa Eckel Martin
Erin Melcher
James and Nancy Meyer
Jim and Mary Nelson
Rich and Anne Noreen
Bob and Carol Nowack
Nick and Maria Nykerk, in honor of Kruger Nykerk
Mark and Judy Olesnavage
Marsha Rago
Bradley and Rachael Rivard, in honor of Amelia Rivard
Lois Roelse
Jim and Bonnie Scarlett, in honor of Kelli Scarlett
Bradley Sturm
Tripp and Katie VanderWal
Brian and Mary VandeWater, in honor of Molly VandeWater
Don, Diane, and Katie VanOeveren, in memory of Donna VanOeveren & Barbara Westoby
Paul and Sheena Vogel, in honor of Hudson and Graham Vogel
Amy and Mike Wigger, in honor of Owen Wigger
Eric Willinger
Margaret A. Wilson
Matthew and Laura Witkowski
Dave Wood
Ray and Robin Zondervan, in honor of Caleb Zondervan
Gifts in memory of Jim Leach, Sr.

We are grateful to the several anonymous donors whose contributions have significantly impacted this campaign.

© 2023 DSAWM Foundation | All Rights Reserved | Website Design by Pixelvine Creative

  • About Us
  • Capital Campaign
  • Halloween Party
  • Annual Gala
  • Give a Gift
  • Contact