Down Syndrome Association Of Jacksonville Inc

THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO HELPING PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND HELPING TO CREATE A COMMUNITY THAT IS EDUCATED, SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME.

THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF JACKSONVILLE (DSAJ)HAS CONTRACTED WITH MANY LOCATIONS THAT PROVIDE OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL AND SPEECH THERAPY, AND COMPUTER TUTORING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SPEECH THERAPY , COMPUTER TUTORING, PHYSICAL THERAPY, SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING AND EVALUATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. DURING 2021, APPROXIMATELY 52 INDIVIDUALS AMONG FIVE NORTHEAST FLORIDA COUNTIES WERE PROVIDED SUCH ASSISTANCE

DSAJ PROVIDES FAMILY SUPPORT TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME BY PROVIDING MONTHLY SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR VARIOUS AGE GROUPS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDING TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH THE EXPENSES OF TRAVELING TO VARIOUS STATE AND NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES. APPROXIMATELY, 140 FAMILIES WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR 2021.

WEIGHT WATCHERS: THE DSAJ SEEKS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE INSTRUCTION AND MOTIVATION TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE DSAJ HAS PARTNERED WITH WEIGHT WATCHERS WHICH PROVIDES CLASSES ON HEALTHY EATING AND WEIGHT LOSS INSTRUCTION. A VARIETY OF EXERCISE INSTRUCTION IS ALSO OFFERED. BASKETBALL PROGRAM: THE DSAJ BASKETBALL TEAM MEETS WEEKLY AT HENDRICKS AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH. WE ACCOMMODATE PLAYERS AGES 6 YEARS AND ABOVE. OUR SEASON BEGINS IN FEBRUARY AND RUNS THROUGH AUGUST. ALTHOUGH THIS PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY DSAJ, IT IS NOT LIMITED TO CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME: ALL CHILDREN WITH VARYING DISABILITIES ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. SOCCER PROGRAM: THE DSAJ SPONSORS A SOCCER TEAM THAT PLAYS EACH SATURDAY MORNING. THE ANNUAL SEASON TYPICALLY STARTS THE LAST SATURDAY IN OCTOBER AND RUNS THROUGH THE END OF FEBRUARY. THE TEAM IS OPEN TO ANYONE WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY REGARDLESS OF AGE. THE PLAYERS ARE GROUPED INTO TEAMS BASED ON AGE AND SOCCER SKILLS. OUR PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE, EXERCISE SAFELY, LEARN HOW TO PLAY AS A TEAM AND MAKE FRIENDS. WE EMPHASIZE SAFETY, TEAM SPIRIT AND GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP CONDUCT. STARZ DANCE AND CHEER: THE STARZ CHEERLEADER GROUP IS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. WE MEET WEEKLY TO PREPARE FOR PERFORMANCES. OUR STARZ PERFORM AT EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS VARIOUS DSAJ CELEBRATIONS. DURING THE YEAR, APPROXIMATELY ___ INDIVUALS PARTICIPATED IN THE WELLNESS AND FITNESS PROGRAMS.

DSAJ PROVIDES VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA WHOSE FOCUS IS TO PROVIDE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION AND TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. THE ORGANIZATION HAS OVER 1,600 INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.