FRIENDS of Joplin

FRIENDS of Joplin is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in surrounding areas of Joplin, MO. FRIENDS of Joplin meets monthly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about FRIENDS of Joplin contact Alicia Hammer at 417.499.3606 or via email at alihammer@sbcglobal.net.

Johnson County FRIENDS

Johnson County FRIENDS is a Down Syndrome Guild support group that serves families living in Johnson County. Johnson County FRIENDS meets monthly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about Johnson County FRIENDS, please contact India Hight (913-709-2976) or Jill Boster (913219-0416) or via email at dsgjocofriends@gmail.com.

Lawrence and Topeka FRIENDS

Lawrence and Topeka FRIENDS is a Down Syndrome Guild support group that serves families living in Lawrence and Topeka. For more information about Lawrence and Topeka FRIENDS please contact Anne Martinez at 785.354.8243 or via email, richard-anne@sbcglobal.net.

Northland Buddies

Northland Buddies is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in Kansas City North, Liberty, Smithville, Kearney, Parkville, and other surrounding Northland cities in Clay and Platte counties. Northland Buddies meets monthly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about Northland Buddies contact Kris Plubell at 816.792.4671 or via email at kdkb@plubells.com.

Rural Missouri FRIENDS

Rural Missouri FRIENDS is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in Brookfield, Chilicothe, Keytesville, Meadville and other rural communities.  Rural Missouri FRIENDS meets quarterly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about Rural Missouri FRIENDS, please contact Kathy McCurry at 660-258-7204 or via email at kmccurry@shighway.com.

SAGA

Sibling Are Great Advocates (SAGA) is an adult sibling group which meets every other month.  If you are caing for an adult brother or sister who had Down syndrome, this group is for you. You will have the opportunity to meet other sibling who are or will be the primary care givers for thier loved one with Ds.  For more information, please contact Sarah Jurcyk at 913.677.1213 or sjurcyk@kc.rr.com.

St. Joseph FRIENDS

St. Joseph FRIENDS is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in St. Joseph, Missouri and surrounding cities. For more information about St. Joseph FRIENDS, please contact Renee Sherman at 816.232.7238 or grover_rar@hotmail.com.

TEEN Club

Teen Club is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving teens and their families living in Eastern Jackson County. Teen Club meets the fourth Saturday of each month for social activities and group outings.  For more information please contact Diane Chrisman at 816-229-2034 or at dianesingsforjoy@comcast.net.

Community Groups

The Down Syndrome Guild is proud to sponsor support groups that meet in various cities throughout the greater Kansas City area. Some of these groups have adopted the name FRIENDS, which stands for Family Resource Information Education Network for Down Syndrome. Please feel free to attend any group meeting that interests you. If you are interested in starting a support group in your area, contact the DSG office at 913-384-4848 or info@kcdsg.org for more information.

African American FRIENDS

African American Friends is a Down Syndrome Guild Support group serving our African American families through out the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area.  African American Friends meets periodically throughout the year for social and educational meetings.  For more information about African American Friends contact Yinka Perry at ejkperry@yahoo.com.

B.E.S.T. Network

Our mission at the B.E.S.T. (Beyond the Evening Star Network) is to create communities of kindness and inclusion through performing arts, integrating people with and without disabilities. Our purpose is to entertain, educate and break down social barriers while creating customized employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Our message is “We are here and we belong, because every soul has worth and a purpose here on earth.” For more information about BEST NETWORK watch our KC Star Video or visit our Website at http://www.thebestnetwork.org/ or contact Marlene Wagnon at bestnetarts@earthlink.net.  

Conectando Amigos Latino

Conectando Amigos Latinos fue creado para ayudar a las familias latinas que tienen un ser querido con síndrome de Down. Por lo general se reúnen cada tercer jueves del mes para las actividades sociales e invitar a los oradores invitados para hablar de temas que afectan a nuestras familias. Damos la bienvenida a todas las familias en el área de Kansas City, zona norte de St. Joseph, MO, las áreas al oeste de Topeka, KS, y tan al sur como Joplin, MO. Por favor, póngase en contacto con Brenda Saenz, 816.278.0219 o via_quintana@yahoo.com o Yadira Murguía, yadis7@yahoo.com o 913.261.9546 para más información.

D.A.D.S.

Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.) provides fellowship amongst dads, uncles, and grandfathers who have a loved one iwth Down syndrome.  DADS usually meets every Third Thrusday of the  month. Visit thier website for additional information, www.dadskc.org.

Dotte FRIENDS

Dotte Friends is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in Kansas City, KS surrouding areas such as Leavenworth, Bonner Springs, Edwardsville,Piper and other Wyandotte County areas. Dotte FRIENDS meets monthly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about Dotte Friends, contact Becky Mesler at 913.788.9013 or  via email at abecky529@kc.rr.com.

Eastland FRIENDS

Eastland FRIENDS is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in Lee’s Summit, Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown and other small suburbs in Eastern Jackson County. Eastland FRIENDS meets monthly for social and educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about Eastland FRIENDS by contacting Kim Knipp 816.898.4255 or via email kknipp@kc.rr.com.

FACES

The Family Advocacy Center for Educational Support is a Down Syndrome Guild sponsored group that meets in Olathe to discuss educational issues. FACES meets monthly to offer educational support and is proud to have a variety of speakers who present information on best practices in working with individuals with Down syndrome. For more information about FACES, please contact Debbie Horn at (913)768-6717 or via email at debbie@horns4.com.

Flint Hills Families

Flint Hills Families serves North Central Kansas, Manhattan, Fort Riley, and Junction City, KS and thier surrounding cities. If you would like to learn more about this groups, please contact Patsy Roseman at patsy _s_b@yahoo.com or Brianna Goff at bnelson@ksu.edu.