Saturday, November 22 there is a conference at Woodside Bible Church on housing, rights, transition planning, and vocational options for the developmentally disabled. We will have, in my opinion, the top folks in Oakland County regarding housing, financial, and life planning options for young men and women with developmental and mental disabilities in Oakland County. Senior management from MORC, Inc., The Arc of Oakland County, and Community Housing Network will speak on the current topics relating to transitioning our young adults to “independence” in the community.

There will be two morning sessions followed by a Q & A with all presenters and then a provided lunch with special guest speaker Elmer Cerano, the Executive Director of Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services.

The entire conference, including lunch, is free of charge. I know all of the presenters personally and can only tell you that they know their material and will provide you with the information that you need to figure out where to go, what to do, and how to plan for your child or young adult.

If anyone would like to attend, please call email mw@sjcap.net.

Download Conference Flyer
Download Conference Agenda

What: DSG Holiday Party

When: Sunday, December 7 @ 1:45 PM

Where: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church
1100 Lone Pine Rd (nw corner of Telegraph)
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302

RESERVATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 24th. NO EXCEPTIONS!

Download the Holiday Party Registration Form

So far – we have raised $60,000 And we’re still counting!

Online donations for the Buddy Walk will be accepted until October 31, 2008. Many people feel inspired to donate again after attending. You can go on-line today and help someone reach their fundraising goal, or to top off your team’s total. Go to http://buddywalk.kintera.org/dsgsemi.

All proceeds from the Buddy Walk will be calculated on November 1 and used during the 2009 fiscal year.  Be sure to ask how the DSG can help you or your family through its scholarship fund policy designed to give financial assistance with educational, recreational, or medical bills.  We are proud to provide assistance to individuals with Down syndrome in our community and encourage you to take part.

Download DSG Scholarship Fund Policy & Application

THANKS to all the volunteers who drove to Kensington Metropark in the dark, foggy morning to help set-up!

THANKS to the Buddy Walk committee who worked faithfully since February to pull it all together!

THANKS to our top sponsor, COMERICA BANK, for their generous donation of $1,000!

THANKS to ACCRETIVE SOLUTIONS, our first corporate team, for spreading the word about Down syndrome through their work environment and for joining us at the park!

THANKS to the food and beverage team for providing us with a beautiful spread in the pavilion!

THANKS to all our TEAMS for showing such devotion to their loved ones!

THANKS to PAWS of the Detroit Tigers for making us all smile and for interacting with everyone!

THANKS to the Merry Music Maker for the wonderful performance!

THANKS to Martin and his wife, our friendly photographers!

THANKS to Shannyn Caldwell, our talented MC, and to Jim and Tom Salter for the great music!

THANKS to Fantasy Tea Party, our face painters!

THANKS to our wacky balloon sculptor and the carnival volunteers!

THANKS to the information table staff members for spreading awareness about Down syndrome!

THANKS to all the volunteers who checked in throughout the day prepared to work!

THANKS to FOX NEWS for interviewing one of our families and for talking about the Buddy Walk and Down syndrome on the news!

THANKS to Kensington Metropark for having us and for allowing us to do what we wanted!

THANKS to Innovative Media for providing all the signs and banners!

THANKS to New York Bagel for donating bagels for the volunteers!

THANKS to Absopure for donating water!

THANKS to Kroger for donating, and special ordering, so much food for our Buddy Walkers!

THANKS to Great Harvest Bread Co. for donating cookies!

THANKS to Registration and Team Headquarters for graciously handling the rush of 1000+ participants!

THANKS to NDSS, the Abilities Center, Band of Angels, and Kids In Motion for adding to our goody bags!

THANKS to everyone who handed out brochures and hung posters about the Buddy Walk!

THANKS to our special guest author, Beth Conway, for signing her book “RACHEL AND THE MAGIC BEADS” and for donating 20% of the proceeds to the DSG!

THANKS to the many, many individuals and businesses who made general donations to the Buddy Walk to help us raise over $60,000 this year!

And finally, THANKS to everyone for finding your way to our new location to support Down syndrome awareness and to celebrate with the DSG of Southeast Michigan!
What a beautiful day it was!!!  We hope to see you there next year!!!

-Lisa Anderson and Tricia Dewar
Buddy Walk Chairpersons 2008