October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It is a time to celebrate people with Down Syndrome, educate people and advocate for acceptance and inclusion.
Stewart’s Shops/ Dake family has been committed to sharing their success with their local communities for 30 years. We support over 6,000 unique organizations annually through the Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family Foundation and our Holiday Match Campaign. Since it is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight some of the organizations we work with that help individuals with Down Syndrome.
The Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley:
Stewart’s Shops has supported The Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley for the last 14 years. Our most recent donation helps supports a variety of of recreation and therapy programs for members. This donation will also go to informational seminars focusing on educating people about Down Syndrome. The goal is to see people with Down Syndrome live fulfilling, empowered lives. The Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley strives to meet the individual needs of each family.
Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center at the Center for Disability Services:
The Down Syndrome AIM High Resource Center offers support programs, educational services, social events, community events and up-to-date news and resources for families, professionals and individuals. They work to educate the greater community about Down Syndrome and help individuals become self- advocates.
Stewart’s shops has been supporting the The Down Syndrome AIM High Resource Center for 13 years. Our latest donation went to their “Buddy Walk” and helps support their “Welcome Baby” program. The program offers new parents of children with Down Syndrome a welcome bag in the hospital. The bag provides parent-to-parent connections, professional services and resources to support the families.
Special Olympics New York:
Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition. There is a variety of Olympic- style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Their programs give people the ability to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, and experience joy. Athletes participate in a unique sharing of gifts, skill sand friendship with their families, other Special Olympic Athletes and the community.
Stewart’s Shops has been a supporter of the Special Olympics New York for the last 21 years. The latest donation went to their “Young Athletes” program. Children between the ages of 2 and 7, with our without disabilities, come together to play sports. The program introduces basic sport skills and offers families, caregivers, teachers and the community the chance to share the joy of sports with kids.
Learn more about these great organizations below:
The Down Syndrome Association of the Hudson Valley– https://www.dsahv.org/
Down Syndrome AIM High Resource Center– https://www.cfdsny.org/dsahrc
Special Olympics New York– https://www.specialolympics-ny.org/