activities · 20
what they do
direct service · 20
- 321fun! Movement Challenge Youth Running & Fitness ChallengesOperates "321fun!", a 21-day movement challenge for families with individuals with Down syndrome to encourage physical activity, providing medals to all individuals with Down syndrome who complete the event.
- 321fun! Movement Challenge Youth Running & Fitness ChallengesOperates "321fun!", a 21-day movement challenge to encourage physical activity for families with individuals with Down syndrome, providing medals to all individuals with Down syndrome who complete the event.
- Community Events and Gatherings Adaptive Social and Recreational ProgramsOrganizes various community events and gatherings for families, including an annual World Down Syndrome Day celebration at the zoo, renting the Children's Museum Tucson, and whole family gatherings to foster connection and relaxation.
- Community Events and Gatherings Adaptive Social and Recreational ProgramsOrganizes various community events and gatherings for families, including whole family gatherings, an annual World Down Syndrome Day celebration at the zoo, and renting the Children's Museum Tucson for summer family events.
- Community Events and Gatherings Adaptive Social and Recreational ProgramsOrganizes various community events and gatherings for families, including an annual World Down Syndrome Day celebration at the zoo, renting out the Children's Museum Tucson, and hosting the SANDS Move & Groove Challenge.
- Conference Attendance Support Medical Conference Access SupportProvides financial and logistical support for families to attend conferences such as the NDSS Buddy Walk on Washington and the NDSC conference, facilitating advocacy training, networking, and learning experiences.
- Event Calendar ManagementOrganizes and maintains a calendar of events specifically for the Down syndrome community.
- Family Resource Fair and Family Day School Community Engagement EventsOrganizes a Family Resource Fair and Family Day, which also serves as a fundraising event.
- Family Resource Fair and Family Day School Community Engagement EventsOrganizes a Family Resource Fair and Family Day, which also serves as a fundraiser and connects families with critical services.
- Gifting Opportunities for Learning & Development (G.O.L.D.) Program Disability-Focused Financial Assistance ProgramsOperates the G.O.L.D. Program, providing financial awards up to $1,000 per individual with Down syndrome per calendar year for educational, therapeutic, and medical purposes.
- Gifting Opportunities for Learning & Development (G.O.L.D.) Program Disability-Focused Financial Assistance ProgramsOperates the G.O.L.D. Program, providing financial awards up to $1,000 per individual with Down syndrome per calendar year for educational, therapeutic, and medical purposes, as well as for learning and development opportunities.
- Individualized Equipment Provision Adaptive Equipment ProvisionProvides specialized equipment such as bikes and strollers to individuals with Down syndrome to assist with personal goals and daily mobility.
- New Parent Welcome ProgramOperates a New Parent Welcome program that provides support to parents receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis, including one-on-one support calls, visits from board members, and welcome packages with books, resource guides, and gifts.
- Online Community Support Foster & Adoptive Parent Support GroupsManages a private Meta group to facilitate connections, questions, and community support among families.
- Online Community Support Foster & Adoptive Parent Support GroupsManages a private Meta group to provide a platform for families to connect, ask questions, and find community support.
- Online Community and Resource Management Foster & Adoptive Parent Support GroupsManages a private Meta group for families to connect and find community support, and organizes a calendar of events for the Down syndrome community.
- SANDS Move & Groove ChallengeHosts the SANDS Move & Groove Challenge, an event promoting movement and engagement.
- SANDS Walk for Down SyndromeOrganizes the annual SANDS Walk for Down Syndrome, which includes a resource fair, food, entertainment, and celebration for the community, attracting 800-1,000 people and connecting families with critical services and providers.
- SANDS Walk for Down SyndromeOrganizes the annual SANDS Walk for Down Syndrome, which started in 2001 and attracts 800-1,000 people, featuring a resource fair, food, entertainment, and celebration for the community to connect families with critical services and providers.
- SANDS Walk for Down SyndromeOrganizes the annual SANDS Walk for Down Syndrome, which started in 2001 and attracts 800-1,000 people, featuring a resource fair, food, entertainment, and celebration for the community.
strategies · 14
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advocacy and Awareness Building awareness_campaignThe organization actively works to raise awareness about Down syndrome through campaigns and events, and empowers individuals and families to advocate for their rights and needs at various levels, including legislative advocacy.
- Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns awareness_campaignThe organization actively works to raise awareness about Down syndrome and empower individuals and families to advocate for their rights. This includes organizing awareness campaigns and providing training for advocacy efforts at various levels.
- Capacity building through education and advocacy empowerment advocacy trainingStrengthens community capacity by providing educational resources to agencies and training individuals and families to advocate effectively for Down syndrome awareness and rights, including at the national policy level.
- Centralized community engagement through high-impact events event consolidationUses a centralized event calendar and focuses on hosting a few large annual events—such as the SANDS Walk for Down Syndrome—to maximize participation, reduce burden on families, and raise awareness, while fostering community involvement and celebration of accomplishments.
- Community Building and Engagement through Events community_engagement_through_eventsThe organization fosters community and provides ongoing support by organizing and consolidating events that celebrate the abilities of individuals with Down syndrome, raise awareness, and facilitate peer connections. This approach aims to increase participation, satisfaction, and a sense of belonging among families.
- Community-Based Engagement and Peer Support community_engagementThe organization fosters a strong sense of community and provides ongoing support through events, peer connections, and collaborative efforts. This approach aims to ensure families feel connected, celebrate abilities, and engage the broader community in supporting individuals with Down syndrome.
- Comprehensive Family Support and Resource Provision comprehensive_resource_provisionThe organization acts as a central hub, providing a "one-stop-shop" for families to access crucial services, resources, and support from diagnosis through adulthood. This includes connecting families with service providers, offering educational resources, and partnering with national organizations to ensure up-to-date information.
- Comprehensive, lifespan-oriented resource and support hub comprehensive resource provisionOperates as a one-stop-shop that connects families with essential services across the lifespan—diagnosis through adulthood—by consolidating resources from state agencies, medical providers, therapists, and support groups, and by partnering with national organizations to ensure information is current and accessible.
- Direct Financial Assistance and Exploration of Options direct_financial_assistanceThe organization provides direct financial support to families to bridge gaps in established community services and encourages them to explore new or alternative options for individuals with Down syndrome, thereby expanding access to necessary resources and opportunities.
- Direct financial assistance to expand access and options direct financial assistanceBridges gaps in available services by providing direct financial support to families, enabling them to explore new or alternative opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome that might otherwise be inaccessible.
- Family-centered support with peer and sibling inclusion family-centered supportProvides holistic, family-centered support including peer networks for new and expectant parents, emotional support, friendship building, and specialized programming for siblings, ensuring all family members feel connected and supported.
- Holistic Family Support and Resource Provision comprehensive_resource_provisionThe organization acts as a comprehensive resource hub, providing a "one-stop-shop" for families to connect with crucial service providers, educational resources, and community support from diagnosis through adulthood. This includes partnering with national organizations to ensure up-to-date information and offering direct financial assistance to bridge service gaps and encourage exploration of new options.
- Strategic Event Consolidation for Increased Participation event_consolidationThe organization focuses on hosting a few large annual events rather than many small ones. This strategy aims to accommodate families' busy schedules and long commutes, thereby increasing participation and satisfaction in community activities.
- Umbrella organization model fostering collaboration umbrella organizationFunctions as an umbrella organization that supports and collaborates with other groups serving individuals with Down syndrome, amplifying impact through coordinated efforts and shared resources.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Family Resource Fair
Event connecting families with service providers including state agencies, therapists, doctors, and support groups.
G.O.L.D. Program
Gifting Opportunities for Learning & Development provides financial sponsorships or reimbursements for medical, therapeutic, and educational needs of individuals with Down syndrome.
New Parent Welcome Program
Offers welcome packages, one-on-one support calls, and resource guides to families after a Down syndrome diagnosis.
SANDS Walk for Down Syndrome
Annual fundraising and awareness event featuring a resource fair, family activities, and community celebration.
Whole Family Gatherings
Large annual events such as World Down Syndrome Day at the zoo and summer museum rentals to foster community connection.
relationships · 8
who they work with
- ALTCS Partner — Connects families to ALTCS services through a resource fair.
- DDD Partner — Connects families to DDD services through a resource fair.
- DES Partner — Connects families to DES services through a resource fair.
- Give It Back Partner — Received a stroller from Give It Back for a family in need.
- NDSS Partner — Facilitated attendance at the NDSS Buddy Walk on Washington.
- Social Security Partner — Connects families to Social Security services through a resource fair.
- Special Olympics Partner — Connects families to Special Olympics through a resource fair.
- national Down syndrome organizations Partner — Has relationships with national Down syndrome organizations that specialize in creating resources for the Down syndrome community.