January kicked off Season 03 for Art Beats. Melissa Lee lead our students with Down syndrome in an instructional painting class with guitarist Grecco Buratto as our still life. Thank you all for participating!
9 participants ranged from 5 years - 26 years old. Paint was supplied by Modern Masters. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market in Burbank and drinks were donated by Trader Joe's in Burbank.
October's Art Beats was held at Cotrutza Gallery in Los Angeles. Artist Claudia French hosted our group in her beautiful gallery and lead our students in creating a multi-media turkey for the holidays. Musician Kirsten Proffit accompanied us on guitar and the students koined in with percussion and kazoos.
6 participants ranged from 4 years - 20 years old. Paint was supplied by Modern Masters. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market in Burbank.
September's Art Beats was held at the DSALA Community Room in Van Nuys. Artist Michelle Oppenheimer lead our students in painting abstract hearts while exploring watercolor. Musician Parker Ainsworth accompanied us on guitar with his 'freestyle' spur-of-the-moment songs.
10 participants ranged from 4 years - 20 years old. Paint was supplied by Modern Masters. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market, Burbank and drinks were donated by Sprouts Market, Burbank.
On August 20th, Art Beats was hosted at the Fender Center for Performing Arts in Corona. Our students were handed video cameras and were asked to record the rock band "the Igniters." The band is made up of 5 kids who learned how to play at the Fender Center. Our kids filmed the band, then put down their cameras to pick up instruments and jam with the band at the end. The final video was created using the footage from all 10 students.
10 participants ranged from 11 years - 42 years old. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market, Burbank.
TEEN CORNER
July 2011
Bowling from July 3 – July 31 (Corbin Bowling Ctnr)
8 Teen with DS and 8 Teen volunteers participated
THIS JUST IN..."TwentyWonder Derby Thunder" - live roller derby action will feature the All-Star Teams, the LA Ri-Ettes vs. the San Diego Derby Dolls' Wildfires. The summer's hot match you don't want to miss! TWENTYWONDER hosted by the LA Derby Dolls on July 9th at the Doll Factory. All proceeds to benefit Down Sydrome Association of Los Angeles.
Find all the info and participants on the TwentyWonder site.
All volunteer performers. Schedule subject to change. 21+ years of age only.
June's Art Beats was held in our DSALA Community Room where instructor Robyn Salazar Valdez led the class in sculpture using found objects. The kids explored shapes and textures while combining them into unique forms. Emily Herndon and Asha Sukumar led the music circle while many participated with percussion instruments.
8 participants ranged from 3 years - 11 years old. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market, Burbank.
Saturday, May 21 we were hosted by Oak Avenue School's 66-piece string orchestra led by maestro Richard Meyer. His students performed for us, then showed us how to hold and play their instruments. We then created percussion instruments with Ms. Michelle Lee to play along with the orchestra.
13 participants ranged from 4 years - 20 years old. Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market and drinks were donated by Honest Tea.
Instructional Basketball
DSALA's sports and firtness program was created for athletes with Down syndrome and their siblings.
The program was held Saturdays from April 16th to May 28th at El Segundo High School Recreation Center for Individuals with Down Syndrome and their siblings.
10:15 Parent & Me Ball Play
10:30 - 11:30 Beginning Skills /aprox 5-12 yrs old
11:30 - 12:30 Intermediate Skills / approx 10 and older
66 individuals attended the Kings Hockey Game on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The group participated in the Tunnel Team that high-fives the team as they enter the ice through the tunnel. The DSALA members with Down syndrome and some parents to support sat on the team bench between periods and were recognized as from the DSALA and each child’s (or adults) name was read over the sound system. Everyone seemed to have a nice time, and the Kings won 4 to 1.
Our photography session was held at Foxfield Riding School in Westlake Village by Viktor Budnik. Our strolling musician was Emily Herndon.
7 participants ranged from 8 years - 43 years old. Viktor brought attention to light, shadow and texture and helped the students recognize composition of their shot. After, we enjoyed snacks while Viktor reviewed each student’s work and together, selecting the favorites from the day.
Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market and drinks were donated by Honest Tea.
January’s session was lead by artist Sarah Tacoma. Our musicians were a jazz trio; Enrique, Alex, and Kyle.
8 participants ranged from 4 years - 20 years old. Sarah led the class in creating Collage Creaetures. Students cut out parts and pieces from supplied magazines and created creatures.
Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market and drinks were donated by Honest Tea. The gel medium was provided by Modern Masters.
Our Musical Director Wesley Switzer, our photographer Amy Biller, and our volunteer Ben Macadangdang were on hand to help with the day. Thanks everyone for a great day!
November's session was lead by painter Michael Soloman. Our musicians were guitarist/singer Emily Herndon and violinist/guitarist/singer Asha Sukumar .
10 participants ranged from 4 years - 20 years old. Michael prepared a large canvas with a painting of a woman's face looking up. He told the class that she was thinking of happy things and asked the class to paint things that make them happy. He handed everyone a round piece of canvas. After the painting were done, he glued them onto the large canvas and connected them to each other with a thin line of paint, indicating that we are more alike than different.
Snacks were donated by Full of Life Market and drinks were donated by Honest Tea.
Our Musical Director Wesley Switzer, and our photographer, Amy Biller were on hand to help with the day. Thanks everyone for a great day!
Our latest sports program took place at the North Hollywood Recreation Center. We had a very unique multi sport program for the 1 - 8 year old group. We offered indoor basketball, indoor soccer and indoor tee ball. For the 9 year olds - adults we focused on our basketball skills, drills and games. It was a great season!
Ellen Cheng, who hosts the cable TV show "LA This Week", did a story for her show on the DSALA Sports Program. She brought a camera crew, conducted a few interviews and filmed our kids participating in the program.
Program Details
1-8 year olds Indoor basketball, soccer, and tee ball
9 year olds - adults: basketball
Where:
North Hollywood Recreation Center 11430 Chandler Blvd. 91601
When:
October 9th - November 20th
Time:
1 - 8 years old 10am - 11am
9 years old - adults 11am - 12pm
Cost:
$25 for the entire season.
October's session was lead by potter Kirsty Iredale. Our musician was percussionist Gerald Penilla.
9 participants ranged from 4 years - 16 years old. We walked around the beautiful grounds of Kirsty's studio in Topanga canyon collecting leaves that were pressed into our clay bowls. Gerald led the drum circle. Then we all walked over to see Frank the pig, some chickens, and fed Apache the horse, and took turns petting So-Big the pony.
Snacks and drinks were donated.
Volunteers Ben, Karen and Jaylin, our Musical Director Wesley Switzer, and our photographer, Amy Biller were on hand to help with the day. Thanks everyone for a absolutely enchanted day!
Tuesday, October 5th, we held our annual meeting open to the community. Active members voted on the new Board of Directors, heard reports from the Director of Programs and Outreach, Director of Administration and Fundraising, and the CFO. Discussions included ideas for the coming year, programs for teens, family get-togethers, and the importance of involving more of the outside community.
The new Board of Directors:
Gina Vivona, Chairman
Diane Toomey, Vice President
Dana Young, Secretary
Gordon Lejeune, Chief Financial Officer
Ezell Williams, Member at Large
Colleen Bellitti
Rosa Flores
Andrea Friedman
Edith Shea
Mark Torres
Jonathan Wernick
September's session was lead by artist Chuck Coons. Our musician was keyboardist Nic Gibbs.
11 participants ranged from 4 years - 17 years old. Everyone painted, with their hands or brushes, and sometimes both.
A couple of kids played with Nic on the keyboard and sang.
Paint, canvases, snacks and drinks were all donated.
Volunteers and our photographer, Amy Biller were on hand to help with the day. Thanks everyone for a successful event!
Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 9 AM to 11:30 AM
A.R.T. Presentation on Adaptive Skills Training
DSALA Office, 16461 Sherman Way, #180, Van Nuys
Adaptive Skills Training is available for consumers from 3 years to adult and is vendored though the Regional Center. The skills addressed include Self-Help, Functional Communication, Safety Awareness, Community Integration, Social Skills, Toilet Training, Puberty Training and Job Training.
RSVP to DSALA: info@dsala.org or 818-786-0001
Saturday, December 4, 2010 - 2 sessions AM & PM
#1 DS Health Issues: 9:30 to 11:30 AM
#2 DS Health and Aging: 1 to 3 PM
DSALA Office, 16461 Sherman Way, #180 Van Nuys
Presentation by Anne Tournay M.D. & Eric Doran M.S. of CHOC DS Program and the UCI DS Aging Program. Space is limited in each presentation.
RSVP for one or both to DSALA: info@dsala.org or 818-786-0001
CHOC Down Syndrome Program (http://www.choc.org/neuroscience/index.cfm?id=P00535)
2010
9th Annual Up for Down Buddy Walk
Mark your calendars as Up for Down/DSALA will be hosting our 9th Annual Buddy Walk at
Memorial Park in Upland on October 17th, 2010.
It’s going to be bigger and better this year!
For more information or for a Corporate Sponsor letter, please contact Jake Stepp at jacobstepp@verizon.net
We are also looking for raffle prizes. If you work at a restaurant or have a cool company prize to donate,
please call Carol Anten at (909) 268-6344.
With your help, we can make a difference and make a brighter future for our kids!
113 people attended The BBQ- 29 families, 16 Volunteers, and 5 Staff members
Keion and Tabitha won the overalls, Xithlali won the Afgan, and Kyle won the Signing Times DVD set
$310.00 was collected from the BBQ
38 people attended The Reunion- 8 families, 5 Volunteers, 4 staff members (potluck)
A Hawaiian Dance was held on Aug 28, 2010
6 teens attended, 11 volunteers
Cost 0 as of 8/31/10, Parent cost $70 for 5 sessions
2 sessions at dsala offc, 1 bowling event, 1 mini-golf event, and the last event at Balboa Park.
Currently 5 children are enrolled and 7 volunteers.
August 28, 2010
30 people attended the event (adults and children), 5 Staff Members, 3 Volunteers, and 2 Board Members. Jen Burns and Ally Danielson won the circus tickets (2 sets of 5)
Expenses approximate $150
On July 28, 2010 Amor y Fortaleza had a fundraising event. Tacos El Gavilan donated 100% of the receipts… $1520.00 cash!
Approximate 60 people attended, 15 children with DS
June 28-30 at the Burbank Tennis Center
The Greenelight Foundation is pleased to present the 6th Annual Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy for Special Needs Individuals which will be held at the Burbank Tennis Center from 9AM to 1PM, June 28 thru June 30, 2010. All children and young adults with Down Syndrome and similar special needs are welcome. The Academy focuses on physical training, tennis instruction and fun!!
And best of all, the Academy is FREE. The Greenelight Foundation has teamed up with Jensen-Schmidt Tennis Academy to provide scholarships to all participants. And don't worry about equipment. If you don't have the necessary equipment it will be provided for you.
Please visit our website to download an application@
www.greenelightfoundation.org
(note different applications for new & returning players)
download Forms
Hope to see you in June for 3 days of tennis, fun, friendship & special surprises!!
call (818)972-2047 for further information
DSALA’s sub-group the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County hosted its first Buddy Walk on Saturday, June 19th with over 400 people in attendance. More than $32,000 were raised to assist with programs for children and adult with Down syndrome in Santa Barbara County. The day featured a information fair of service providers, entertainment, hot dogs, soda, activities and lots of great people.
TWENTYWONDER was a fun-filled fundraising event/party that benefitted the DSALA and the community born with Trisomy 21 living in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
TWENTYWONDER hosted classic stage-driven entertainment in the form of musicians, comedians, a comedic video area, dancing and a collection of items that are interesting and educational.
TWENTYWONDER is designed to attract people who are interested in the creativity, shapes, and/or values of contemporary pop culture. Our demographic audience is a professional who works within the creative fields of Los Angeles and San Francisco and has a voice in our society.
The singular pursuit of TWENTYWONDER has been to increase the circle of compassion surrounding the DSALA and its mission. By creating a one night event for hundreds of individuals from the Film/TV/Art communities, who are not presently participating with the DSALA, we feel this event will give them a closer view into our community.
TWENTYWONDER performers for this event are volunteering their time and talents because they believe in our organization and our mission. Their material and content will be respectful to our community and its members.
TWENTYWONDER info
Date: Saturday March 6, 2010
Time: 6 p.m. to Midnight
Must be 21 years of age to attend
Location: Veterans Memorial Building, Culver City, CA
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Down Syndrome Awareness Night WITH THE LA KINGS took place on Saturday, March 20th at 7:30 pm at the STAPLES Center
104 attended, represented 13 children with DS
Income $3,170
Expenses $2,780
Tunnel Team:
About 10 families arrived on time to participate in the greeting (high 5’s) and cheering as players walked thru the tunnel.
Team Bench Spotlight:
Five families arrived on time to participate. Once at the bench, we were shown on the JumboTron while Adam Michel rode the Zamboni and information about DSALA and WDSD was announced.
Autograph Alley:
The largest party participated in a meet, greet, and autograph session.
"LoveAble Friendship Circle"
For adults with Down syndrome 18 years and older
LoveAble is held its first "Friendship Circle;" an opportunity to get to know other adults with Down syndrome, age 18 and older, looking for new friends and relationships.
The “Friendship Circle” was a modified version of speed dating. Participants were seated at tables and had 5-10 minutes each to converse with their fellow table mate, and after their time was up, they switched. There were volunteers present to coach those who may be a little timid and hesitant.
The relaxed atmosphere gave everyone a chance to find a possible new friend, or even a new love interest. It was an afternoon full of connections and conversations.
Want to do it again? Contact
Sherry Javad at 310-686-9890 LoveAble
Annual Meeting