Raising awareness, supporting, educating, and connecting people with Down syndrome and their families in the greater Utica and central New York area.
Events
Thursday, October 15th
Cook WIth ALLIE and Karen BiSHOP
Via ZOOM @ 6:30pm
Join the fun Wednesdays via ZOOM to learn new recipes that our friends with Down syndrome can prepare safely and enjoy.
Karen and Allie Bishop will be leading each cooking class. All classes are FREE. The ingredients are provided by 21 Club. We will be preparing kits for each person and delivering them to you on Mondays ahead of time. Registration in advance will be required for each class so preparations can be made.
Please RSVP by the Friday before each class so we can gather supplies and deliver what you will need. If this is your first time joining us, please include the participant's age and any food allergies or sensitivities we should be aware of.
The Get Up And Get Down
Fashion Show And Dance
Sunday, October 25th
5:30pm-8:00pm
Delta Hotels - Junior Ball Room
Join us for this fun night to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month! We'll start the dance off with a fashion show! Wear whatever you'd like- it can be a Halloween costume, a prom dress, jeans, shorts, tuxedo! Anything goes! We'll line every one up and they'll be announced as they enter and "work" the runway! After the fashion show- everyone is invited to stay and enjoy dancing to the music played by DJ Roscoe Red! Please arrive by 5:00pm if your loved one with Down sydrome would like to participate in the fashion show at 5:30pm. We'll get everyone lined up and ready to go!
(There will be some cookies and beverages to enjoy-
please plan to eat dinner before you arrive)
Free for people with Down syndrome. $10 for all others. All are welcome! Please RSVP by October 16th.
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The 21 Club Holiday Celebration
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Delta Hotels by MaRriott grande Ballroom
200 genesee Street, UtIca
Starting At 3:30pm
Santa is coming to town for our 21 Club Holiday celebration. Invitations have been emailed! Not on our e-mail list? Need an invite? Click HERE.
July 2027
Family Picnic
Chadwicks Donovan Memorial Park
9400 Elm Street, Chadwicks, NY
6:00pm
This event is FREE for all 21 Club families. The food will be from Piggy Pat's BBQ. A photographer, will be taking family photos for our annual 21 Club Calendar. (When you arrive, you can sign up for a time for your family photo.) A calendar pre-order form will be available at the merchandise table at the picnic. We ask that all calendars be pre-paid so we don't order too many. Calendars are $20 each. Down syndrome merchandise will be available for purchase.
We look forward to welcoming our families and friends for this fun event!
Literacy Tutoring
Check out our Literacy Program!
Open doors for your loved one by opening a book. Reading leads to better speech, success at school, and opportunities in life. Take advantage of our literacy program and get your child started reading or improve current reading skills.
The focus of this program is to provide literacy support and reading instruction to individuals with Down syndrome. Participants and tutors will be matched based on mutual availability, and will meet once a week for an hour of one-on-one instruction for six weeks. Tutors will be responsible for creating lesson plans and assessing participants. The Utica Public Library has resources for tutors to utilize, including an array of leveled readers and the ability to duplicate or laminate materials and make personalized books for participants. Participants can meet with their tutor at a location and time that works best for their schedule.
Any questions? Contact our literacy program coordinator, Heidi McManus by e-mailing her HERE or calling her at 315-735-2279 ext. 220.
September 2027
Buddy Walk
11AM-1pm
Our friends at Upstate Cerebral Palsy will be sponsoring the Buddy Walk this year at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, NY. There will be a walk around the campus, and activities for the kids.