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.

Download a Community Group Reimbursement Form  

Download a Community Group Sign-In Sheet 

FRIENDS of Color

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 Morcie Whitley at morciewhitley@kc.rr.com.

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 Facebook group or their 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 dottefriends@gmail.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 Laura Burke at laurakvf@gmail.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 Brianna Goff at bnelson@ksu.edu.

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. Friends of Joplin is currently looking for new leadership. Please contact info@kcdsg.org if you are interested!

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 Aimee Oesterreich via email at 4ofuskc@gmail.com. Be sure and like the JOCO Friends facebook group here.

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 shandra@kcdsg.org.

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 Nicole Soto or Jackie Lunares at northlandbuddies@gmail.com.  Be sure to like the NLB facebook page here.

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.

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 Stephanie Mefford at mef4ds@stjoelive.com. Be sure to like the St. Joseph Friends facebook page here.

Tri-21 

Tri-21 is a Down Syndrome Guild support group serving families living in the Grandview Triangle Area, Raymoore, Missouri and surrounding cities. For more information about Tri-21, please visit their Facebook group or contact Brittanie Smith at 816.517.3121 or blair2smith@gmail.com.