Our Mission |
Our mission at the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo is to empower all individuals with Down syndrome to achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential by providing support, education and advocacy not only for the individual, but also their families and communities.
Our Vision
Our vision is to build a community where all individuals with Down syndrome are accepted, included, and given limitless opportunities to pursue their dreams as respected members of society.
Our Service Area
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo serves 17 counties across Northwest Ohio and 6 counties in Southern Michigan.
DSAGT Serves an estimated 450 individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
DSAGT Serves an estimated 450 individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
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Leadership
Staff
Krista Huff Administrative Director
Board of Directors
Ali Kingston, Board President
Alexis Eggenberger, Immediate Past President
Philomena Ayers, Secretary
Caitlin Bainter, Treasurer
Jessica Hilt, Member at large
Robin Laird, Member at large
Krista Huff Administrative Director
Board of Directors
Ali Kingston, Board President
Alexis Eggenberger, Immediate Past President
Philomena Ayers, Secretary
Caitlin Bainter, Treasurer
Jessica Hilt, Member at large
Robin Laird, Member at large
President's Statement
Dear DSAGT Community,
This has been an incredible year for the DSAGT community! After a very long period of limited programming and virtual events due to the pandemic, this year we were able to host a full array of new and established programs. I have loved all of our programming but OpenSpot Theatre is my favorite addition. I would highly recommend popping over to the DSAGT’s social media and checking out the videos and photos of the amazing individuals who participate in this program. I am very excited to continue the program into 2023.
We had a focus this year on expanding programming and serving more of our community. The addition of Society 21 has allowed us to provide a space for our teens and young adults to build friendships. If you missed the events this year, do not worry, as there are big plans for Society 21 in 2023. As always, Buddy Walk is a blast and was a huge success this year. Thank you for all those that attended.
DSAGT accomplished a lot this year, but one of our biggest accomplishments was establishing an endowment fund with the Toledo Community Foundation. Our Board of Directors took this step to ensure DSAGT’s financial future and to ensure we can continue to serve our community. I greatly appreciate the continued work of our Board of Directors.
As we move into 2023, I look forward to sharing more programming and opportunities with our entire community. I encourage you to stay tuned into our newsletter and to always reach out with ideas and needs.
With gratitude,
Alicia Kingston, Esq.
Board President
This has been an incredible year for the DSAGT community! After a very long period of limited programming and virtual events due to the pandemic, this year we were able to host a full array of new and established programs. I have loved all of our programming but OpenSpot Theatre is my favorite addition. I would highly recommend popping over to the DSAGT’s social media and checking out the videos and photos of the amazing individuals who participate in this program. I am very excited to continue the program into 2023.
We had a focus this year on expanding programming and serving more of our community. The addition of Society 21 has allowed us to provide a space for our teens and young adults to build friendships. If you missed the events this year, do not worry, as there are big plans for Society 21 in 2023. As always, Buddy Walk is a blast and was a huge success this year. Thank you for all those that attended.
DSAGT accomplished a lot this year, but one of our biggest accomplishments was establishing an endowment fund with the Toledo Community Foundation. Our Board of Directors took this step to ensure DSAGT’s financial future and to ensure we can continue to serve our community. I greatly appreciate the continued work of our Board of Directors.
As we move into 2023, I look forward to sharing more programming and opportunities with our entire community. I encourage you to stay tuned into our newsletter and to always reach out with ideas and needs.
With gratitude,
Alicia Kingston, Esq.
Board President
Director's Statement
Hello DSAGT Community!
I don't know if you're like me, but I'm usually so busy planning for the next things on my to-do list that I don't always take the time throughout the year to stop and reflect, but as I write this year's Annual Report, I can't help but feel so much pride and excitement as I look back on 2022.
This was a BIG year for DSAGT! We went full speed ahead with our programming, including 6 new programs and events. In addition, to bringing back some family favorites. Two of our most popular new programs include our partnership with OpenSpot Theatre and our Society 21 program. However, I must say, one of the most rewarding things I've ever had the priviledge of doing, is putting together this year's Adopt-a-family program, which I hope continues on for many years to come.
Another exciting accomplishment this year was the creation of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo Endowment Fund.
I don't know if you're like me, but I'm usually so busy planning for the next things on my to-do list that I don't always take the time throughout the year to stop and reflect, but as I write this year's Annual Report, I can't help but feel so much pride and excitement as I look back on 2022.
This was a BIG year for DSAGT! We went full speed ahead with our programming, including 6 new programs and events. In addition, to bringing back some family favorites. Two of our most popular new programs include our partnership with OpenSpot Theatre and our Society 21 program. However, I must say, one of the most rewarding things I've ever had the priviledge of doing, is putting together this year's Adopt-a-family program, which I hope continues on for many years to come.
Another exciting accomplishment this year was the creation of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo Endowment Fund.
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Thanks to a generous donor bequest, DSAGT was the recipient of a large gift last year. Our board of Directors and myself felt the best thing we could do with this gift was use it to support DSAGT's future. Our endowment fund will ensure that our Organization will be around to support many generations to come, and help diversify DSAGT's revenue streams.
I'm really looking forward to continuing our programming growth into 2023 and hope you'll join us at one of our many programs or events! Krista Jensen (Huff) Administrative Director |
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2022 Programs
AT A GLANCE
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Programs and Events
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Families Served
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Volunteers
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New Programs
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New Parent BreakfastThis past March, we hosted our first New Parent Breakfast. The event welcomed several new families to the DSAGT community, providing them with an opportunity to learn more about our programs and services as well as connecting with their peers and other DSAGT parent mentors.
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Toddler Music DiscoveryThis Spring, along with our partners at BeInstrumental, we hosted a Toddler Music Discovery program. Our littles got to play with several instruments as they learned new songs.
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Cardio DrummingOur teens and adults enjoyed a fun and energetic Winter session of Cardio Drumming, alongside our friends at BeInstrumental.
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OpenSpot TheatreA favorite new program among families has been our new partnership with OpenSpot Theatre. Participants work for 5 weeks on building their acting, singing and dancing skills and then in week 6 get to perform a showcase for friends and family!
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Society 21This program has been in the works for a long time at DSAGT! We excitedly launched Society 21 this year, a monthly program for individuals with Down syndrome age 16 and up. Our group takes part in fun social activities throughout the community, including things like putt-putt, dances, tie-dye, and more!
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Other 2022 Programs
Holiday Adopt-a-Family
This year, we received a generous gift from Gilmore Jasion Mahler, LTD., one of our long-time corporate partners, in an effort to help out some of our DSAGT families during the holiday season. In a matter of just a few short weeks, DSAGT was able to put together a questionnaire application, publicize and purchase gifts for 8 different families living all across Northwest Ohio.
Some families asked for toys for their children, but we found that most families were in need of food gift cards and basic household necessities and clothing.
Many times, our families don't always meet other adopt-a-family programs criteria, because they either maybe aren't living in a shelter, or maybe don't meet the income requirements. But, at DSAGT we know that raising a child with Down syndrome can be challenging at times, especially financially. Our little ones are often more prone to hospital stays if they get sick. There's therapy appointments, doctors visits, sometimes special equipment, and unfortunately, this isn't always covered by insurance. Not to mention, the rising costs of food and gas are also really affecting families at this time.
It can be easy for our families to fall through society's cracks...but at DSAGT we see them.
Some families asked for toys for their children, but we found that most families were in need of food gift cards and basic household necessities and clothing.
Many times, our families don't always meet other adopt-a-family programs criteria, because they either maybe aren't living in a shelter, or maybe don't meet the income requirements. But, at DSAGT we know that raising a child with Down syndrome can be challenging at times, especially financially. Our little ones are often more prone to hospital stays if they get sick. There's therapy appointments, doctors visits, sometimes special equipment, and unfortunately, this isn't always covered by insurance. Not to mention, the rising costs of food and gas are also really affecting families at this time.
It can be easy for our families to fall through society's cracks...but at DSAGT we see them.
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It is our hope that moving forward, we can shift our #GivingTuesday efforts to solely support this program and continue with helping our DSAGT families during the Holiday season in this special and meaningful way.
We would love to see this program grow and be able to help even more families so that they can rest a little easier and create lifelong holiday memories with their family. |
21st Annual Toledo Buddy Walk
This year, DSAGT celebrated the 21st Annual Toledo Buddy Walk. The event was hosted at an all new location, the beautiful Owens Community College Campus, located in Perrysburg, OH. Over 1,000 participants enjoyed music, performances, raffles, games, pumpkin painting, tailgates and more! The 2022 Toledo Buddy Walk helped to raised over almost $90,000 for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo, which will go towards the organization's 2023 operations and programs.
Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo Endowment Fund
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo (DSAGT) is excited to announce that they have created an organizational endowment fund with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
The Greater Toledo Community Foundation is the community foundation serving the Toledo region, including northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Since 1971, more than 1,000 funds have been created with a combined market value of $329 million. In 2019, the foundation provided $17.4 million in grant funding.
In 2020, DSAGT was named as a beneficiary of the Sharon Rutter Estate. DSAGT is deeply humbled by Ms. Rutter’s generous decision to support the local Down syndrome community and it is due to her gift that the organization was able to establish this endowment.
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo Endowment Fund will directly impact future generations to come. This funding will allow DSAGT to continue strengthening and growing the programs and services they offer to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Furthermore, gifts made toward the endowment will grow the principle balance, allowing for larger annual distributions that will strengthen the organizations sustainability for many years to come. Through working with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the organization can also now accept publicly traded securities, closely held stock, life insurance policies, real estate, and other unique donations.
“Our board felt this investment was crucial to diversifying our revenue streams to ensure our organizational future. This would not have been possible without the incredible work of the DSAGT Board of Directors and our Director, Krista!" says Ali Kingston, DSAGT Board President. “I want to thank Sandy Wiley the executor of the bequest from Sharon Rutter. Without the generous donation from Ms. Rutter and assistance from Ms. Wiley, this fund would not have been possible.”
The Greater Toledo Community Foundation is the community foundation serving the Toledo region, including northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. Since 1971, more than 1,000 funds have been created with a combined market value of $329 million. In 2019, the foundation provided $17.4 million in grant funding.
In 2020, DSAGT was named as a beneficiary of the Sharon Rutter Estate. DSAGT is deeply humbled by Ms. Rutter’s generous decision to support the local Down syndrome community and it is due to her gift that the organization was able to establish this endowment.
The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo Endowment Fund will directly impact future generations to come. This funding will allow DSAGT to continue strengthening and growing the programs and services they offer to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Furthermore, gifts made toward the endowment will grow the principle balance, allowing for larger annual distributions that will strengthen the organizations sustainability for many years to come. Through working with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, the organization can also now accept publicly traded securities, closely held stock, life insurance policies, real estate, and other unique donations.
“Our board felt this investment was crucial to diversifying our revenue streams to ensure our organizational future. This would not have been possible without the incredible work of the DSAGT Board of Directors and our Director, Krista!" says Ali Kingston, DSAGT Board President. “I want to thank Sandy Wiley the executor of the bequest from Sharon Rutter. Without the generous donation from Ms. Rutter and assistance from Ms. Wiley, this fund would not have been possible.”
Want a pdf version of our Annual Report? Click HERE