HOIDSA Newsletter

Hello HOIDSA Families! We hope that you all had a wonderful Summer and start to the school year! It is hard to believe it is now Fall!

Also we are officially in October which Down syndrome Awareness Month! This is one of our favorite months as it is a great time to educate the community about Down syndrome and spread awareness about the benefits of inclusion. HOIDSA has a great opportunity for Educators and Other Staff that work with students that have Down Syndrome. HOIDSA will reimburse educators within our coverage areas that enroll in the online Paul Kluth course on Supporting Students with Down Syndrome in Inclusive Schools. This includes four 90 min sessions that can be watched ON DEMAND from October 1-31st. Please visit the HOIDSA website for more details on how to register, get reimbursed, and expectations upon completion.

We need a couple more Board Members and General Event Volunteers. What can you help with? Please reach out to the board via email (info@hoidsa.org) or phone (309) 363-3125 to discuss volunteer opportunities.

Our board meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month (September - May) at 6pm. Our next meeting is scheduled for November 6, and anyone is welcome to attend!

The Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association received a big check from the organizer of this summer’s “Cups for Caleb” event.

Back in July, Caleb Schwartz’s friends sold cups of lemonade at a stand on Detweiler Drive in memory of Caleb who had Down syndrome and had recently died from complications from a heart defect.

Caleb’s cousins in St. Louis held a similar fundraiser there.

Cups for Caleb raised over $8,000 for HOIDSA, and we are grateful for this generosity. We are honored take part in helping Caleb's legacy live on by using these funds to help others with Down syndrome within our community through our programing and initiatives!

HOIDSA is having a fall party on Saturday October 7th from 1-3 at Blue Ridge Community Farm

(21529 N Blue Ridge Rd, Chillicothe).

There will be hayrack rides, farm animals, hot dogs, etc. Attendees must sign a waiver. Extras available on site.

Please RSVP how many will be attending by October 3. Email board@hoidsa.org or call/text 309-363-3125.

Let's get together for our first class on October 17th. It's the 3rd Tuesday of the month. We will keep that schedule with the possible exception of November due to Thanksgiving.

Again, we will meet the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Bethel Lutheran Church 425 E.Queenwood Rd, Morton,IL.

Time frame: 6:00pm-7:30pm.

Please bring your your utensils and apron.

Please RSVP to Meri Tucker @ endroad@comcast.net by October 10.

On July 14, HOIDSA hosted a pool party at Shore Acres Pool in Chillicothe. It was a fun filled event for the whole family. Everyone had fun swimming and splashing in the water! Thanks to all of the families that attended!

One of HOIDSA's goals is to integrate persons with Down syndrome into all aspects of educational and community life, and therefore we have more officially made available an Inclusive Activity Stipend. The purpose of the stipend is to help encourage and support the participation of persons with Down syndrome in activities within the community along with typically developing peers. Stipends are limited to persons that that reside within HOIDSA’s service area in Central Illinois (Peoria, Marshall, Tazewell, and Woodford counties).

Amount: Up to $100 per person with Down syndrome - limited to ONE stipend per calendar year

In order to apply for the stipend, please visit the HOIDSA website and complete the application form. Follow the application instructions which will also include submitting a receipt for the activity.

We would love to receive pictures of the individual participating in an inclusive activity just like little Cruz pictured below! Cruz participated in his first year of Tee Ball this summer. He was on a team with other 5 and 6 year old children. While he needed some extra support and modifications in order to participate and play, we know that it was beneficial for both him and his teammates to have him play! At his last game, he was the last batter and his team cheered him on as he ran the bases.

Quinn graduated from kindergarten in May and will started first grade in August. His kindergarten and resource teacher did a great job facilitating a successful year. He had 2 wonderful aides split their day with him. Probably the most helpful thing we did was go into the classroom the first week and introduce Quinn, answer questions, pass out some information for the kids to take home to their parents, and read a story. Below is a picture of Quinn with his classmate Daisy.

Email: info@hoidsa.org
Website: https://hoidsa.org/
Location: 325 E. Queenwood Road, Morton, IL
Phone: 3093633125