Raising awareness, supporting, educating, and connecting people with Down syndrome and their families in the greater Utica and central New York area.
Events
Wednesday, January 25th
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.
Friday May 5, 2023
Terri Couwenhoven MS, CSE
Live 9:30am - 2pm
(More Details to Come in February)
Join us for Terri Couwenhoven's presentation on puberty, hormones, and relationships for people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.
Terri Couwenhoven MS, CSE is a well-known certified sex educator and author, from Wisconsin, specializing in the design and implementation of sexuality programs and resources for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, their parents, and the professionals who support them. Her gentle, matter-of-fact approach combined with extensive knowledge and experience make her a popular speaker with self-advocates, parents, and professionals around the country.
This workshop will address these 3 areas:
Supporting Healthy Sexuality Through Pubescence- A Primer on Puberty- Families often experience anxiety when their son or daughter with intellectual disabilities begins to exhibit changes that occur during puberty. In this workshop, participants will learn about frequently identified issues and concerns of parents of tweens with I/DD and practical ways to address them.
Don’t Cross the Line! Navigating Boundary Confusion in People with I/DD -In this session parents will common reasons for boundary confusion in individuals with I/DD, why boundaries are important, and important aspects of boundary instruction.
I Want to Date! Supporting Healthy Dating Relationships - The need for intimacy and meaningful connections with others is part of the human condition. People with intellectual disabilities have similar needs for intimacy, but often encounter a unique set of barriers as they move into the dating world. In this workshop parents will explore obstacles uniquely experienced by people with intellectual and identify helpful roles for parents and/or support providers, as well strategies for supporting self-advocates learn important steps in the dating process.
The 21 Club Holiday Celebration
Sunday, December 3, 2023
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. Check your e-mail in November for the details and the invitation! Not on our e-mail list? Need an invite? Click HERE.
Literacy Tutoring
Check out our Fall 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. Our 6 week program will start in October.
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.
July 2023
(Date will be posted in Spring)
Family Picnic
Chadwicks Donovan Memorial Park
9400 Elm Street, Chadwicks, NY
6:00pm
Our in person family picnic is back! Join us on Thursday evening, July 14th at 6pm (rain or shine). This event is FREE for all 21 Club families. The food will be from Boneyard 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 $15 each) Down syndrome merchandise will be available for purchase.
We look forward to welcoming our families and friends for this fun event!
Please RSVP by Tuesday, July 5th so we can gather all the supplies for the picnic.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Buddy Walk
Hanna Park- Utica 10:00am-12:30pm
Our friends at Upstate Cerebral Palsy will be sponsoring the Buddy Walk this year at the Parkway Recreation Center in Utica, NY. There will be a walk around the tennis courts, and activities for the kids.