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Diversity Resources

Resources

  • Understanding Down Syndrome
  • New Parent
  • Early Stages Resources
  • School Age Resources
  • Teen & Adult Resources
  • Aging Resources
  • Sibling Resources
  • Dual Diagnosis Resources
  • Diversity Resources
    • Información en español
  • Additional Local & National Down Syndrome Resources
  • Resources for Educators
  • Resources for Medical Professionals

Down syndrome affects individuals of all backgrounds. As a result, our community is vastly diverse and a collective of many unique histories, cultures, identities, and lived experiences. DSAWM is committed to improving our focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity here in the West Michigan Down syndrome community. The directory below is intended to inform families about local resources available to the many diverse communities that make up West Michigan.

DSAWM Programs and Services for Diverse & Multicultural Families

21 Shades Support Group

21 Shades Support Group

21 Shades is a support group for families of color and multicultural families who are part of the Down syndrome community. Gatherings and opportunities to connect are offered frequently for families to share their experiences and discuss topics relevant to the intersection of Down syndrome and race. To learn more and get connected, join the DSAWM 21 Shades Facebook group or contact us!
La Posada

La Posada

La Posada is an annual Christmastime festival hosted by DSAWM’s Spanish-speaking families. The event invites families to bring a traditional passing dish and come together to celebrate the season of giving with delicious food, fun activities, and good company.
Facebook Support Groups

Facebook Support Groups

DSAWM hosts two Facebook groups that are open to diverse West Michigan families. DSAWM 21 Shades is open to all families of color and multicultural families who are raising or love a person with Down syndrome in West Michigan. DSAWM Familias Hispanas y Latinas is open to all Hispanic and Latino families raising or loving a person with Down syndrome in West Michigan.
Información en español

Community Supports

Resources listed are not necessarily endorsed by DSAWM, but are a list of options that are available. If you know of additional West Michigan resources, please add your submission here or let us know at info@dsawm.org.

Families of Color

  • Resources Specific to Down syndrome
    • A Friend Like Anian a children’s book by author and mother Meeka Caldwell who, after noticing she couldn‛t find any children‛s books representing African Americans with Down Syndrome, wrote this book–the first in a series–based on her son
    • African American/Black People Who Have Children with Down Syndrome Facebook group for African American/Black people who have children with Down syndrome and parents/legal guardians of African American/Black children with Down syndrome
    • African American Conference on Disabilities annual conference that addresses the intersection between race and disabilities and examines avenues for self-advocacy to ensure the effective provision of services, resources, and enforcement of civil rights in the African American and disability communities
    • Black Down Syndrome Association connecting Black families in the Down Syndrome community with resources to improve their lives in a more meaningful way by addressing the many inequalities present that increase barriers to access, support, and education 
    • Black Families Down Syndrome Network a subgroup of the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network for black/mixed families expecting or raising a black/mixed child with Down syndrome to connect with other families
    • The Colors of Down Syndrome Facebook group for parents and caregivers of racially/ethnically diverse individuals with Down syndrome
    • DSDN Asian Families Facebook group for Asian/mixed families expecting or raising an Asian/mixed child with Down syndrome to connect to other families
    • Rockin’ Moms en Español – DSDN Facebook group for Spanish-speaking moms of children with Down syndrome
    • Sankofa UC Davis support group to meet the unique needs of parents of Black children with autism and other developmental disabilities
    • Yo Soy Yo a children’s book by author and DSAWM mom Katelyn Herrygers about embracing who you are, translated into Spanish with the support of DSAWM’s Spanish-speaking community

    Additional resources for Spanish-speaking families (Recursos del web y lectura recomendada para familias españolas y latinas)

  • Local Resources Specific to Families of Color
    • BL²END Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions provides the means to empower African Americans and other minorities to achieve economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights
    • CAIR-MI (Council on American-Islamic Relations) advocates for a better understanding of Islam in Michigan by building bridges of understanding and respect
    • Grand Rapids African American Health Institute seeks to ensure that all people have optimal health care and benefit from health systems without race being an impediment
    • Hispanic Center of West Michigan provides unmet social services to the Hispanic Community in Greater West Michigan
    • Latin Americans United for Progress empowers Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all
    • Urban Core Collective uplifts historically marginalized communities to a place of greater self sufficiency by unifying communities of color in order to reduce the effects of systemic racism
    • Urban League of West Michigan provides the means to empower African Americans and other minorities to achieve economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights
    • West Michigan Asian American Association seeks to build a collaborative, active, and committed Asian American community in West Michigan with a focus on healthcare, education, and civic engagement

    Hello West Michigan maintains a directory of local multicultural organizations, listed by city/county. West Michigan residents are also encouraged to visit the ExperienceGR website to learn more about the history of diversity in Grand Rapids.

LGBTQIA+ Families

  • Resources Specific to Down syndrome
    • Parenting as an LGBTQIA Parent online support group for LGBTQIA parents raising children with Down syndrome 
  • Local Resources Specific to LGBTQIA+ Families
    • Grand Rapids Pride Center empowers our LGBTQ community through supportive services and awareness
    • OutFront Kalamazoo creates a just, inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment in Southwest Michigan for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions
    • Out On The Lakeshore provides a constant source of support and understanding to the LGBTQ community of the greater Holland area
    • OutPro is an LGBTQ+ professionals group that can serve as both a resource to employers and employees, as well as an affinity group for the LGBTQ+ community

Adoptive Families

  • Resources Specific to Down syndrome
    • National Down Syndrome Adoption Network works to ensure that every child born with Down syndrome has the opportunity to grow up in a loving family
    • DSDN Adoption & Ds Facebook group for adoptive families looking to find support in others who have adopted children with Down syndrome
  • Local Resources Specific to Adoptive Families
    • Adoptive Family Support Network a service of D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s that gives adoptive parents access to a community of people who can provide answers and share experiences
    • Bethany Christian Services one of the leading West Michigan organizations that supports families along their adoption journey
    • Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange a statewide information and referral service for families interested in adopting children from foster care, and for adoption workers looking for homes for these children

    D.A. Blodgett also maintains a directory of local support groups for adoptive families across the state organized by county.

The Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network maintains a directory of online support groups for families in a variety of topic areas: https://www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/subgroups

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Address

160 68th St. SW, Ste. 110
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Located inside the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center

Phone

616-956-3488

Hours

Monday – Thursday | 9:00am – 5:00pm

DSAWM is a proud member of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, an organization dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through Research, Medical Care, Education, and Advocacy.
DSAWM is a proud member of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, an organization dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome through Research, Medical Care, Education, and Advocacy.
DSAWM is a member of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, an association of local, state, and regional Down syndrome organizations who share experiences, exchange program materials, and find ways to learn from each other.
DSAWM is a member of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, an association of local, state, and regional Down syndrome organizations who share experiences, exchange program materials, and find ways to learn from each other.

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