SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT PLANNED!
As you continue to dig out from all the snow, we want you to remember all you have to look forward to in the coming months.

In fact, we have so much going on, there was no better way to let you know about it than to put it all in one place. Scroll below and remember that you can always go to our Calendar of Events on our website to find out about all the latest programs and events throughout the state. 

 

Stay safe in the snow and we look forward to welcoming you at these many events.

 

Warm Regards,

Your Friends at the MDSC

FEBRUARY
Saturday, February 14
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (NORWOOD)
Join Norwood area grandparents for an informal gathering where you can meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources. 

 
Saturday, February 21
SAAC FASHION SHOW

Our Self Advocate Advisory Council hosts its "We've Got the Runway; You Bring the Style" Fashion Show & Party at Bentley University with friends in the Bentley's Best Buddies Program for self advocates age 18 and up.   


 
Friday, February 27
AIM KARAOKE NIGHT!

Advocates in Motion (ages 13-22) gather for pizza, fruits & veggies, drinks and a whole lotta tunes at our karaoke night at The Paul Center in Chelmsford. 


 
MARCH
Sunday, March 1
A.I.M. - GOING GREEN 

Our Advocates in Motion will make others 'green with envy' over its March adventure! First stop, trash to treasure. Then, move those feet to the beat with Irish Step Dance!

 

 
Saturday, March 7
3rd ANNUAL TROTTIER CHARITY BREAKFAST 

Russ and Kelly Trottier once again host in honor of their son Colin their annual breakfast fundraiser to benefit the MDSC and the new Down Syndrome Program at UMass Memorial in Worcester. Admission is free and donations of any amount are welcomed. 

 

 
Saturday, March 7
BRUINS 50/50 RAFFLE GAME

Join world famous fist-bumper  Liam Fitzgerald at the Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers game to help raise awareness and funds to support Down syndrome! 50% of proceeds from raffle ticket sales benefit MDSC. To volunteer for this event, e-mail Maureen Willis at mwillis@mdsc.org.

 

 
Saturday, March 7
SAMANTHA'S HARVEST: JAM FOR SAM
Join Samantha's Harvest for its annual Jam for Sam featuring high-energy cover party band The Lost Articles. Tony V, "Boston's best comic" hosts the live auction, and the decadent chocolate fountain returns. Proceeds help organizations like the MDSC better meet the needs of people with Down syndrome.  

 

 
Monday, March 9
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (CENTERVILLE) 

Join Centerville area grandparents for an informal gathering where you can meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources. 

 

 
Tuesday, March 10
MDSC WEBINAR: SUPPORTING STUDENTS
MDSC Education Director Mo Blazejewski, a veteran educator herself, leads a professional development webinar tackling how educators can find the time to coordinate and communicate in order to support their students with Down syndrome. 

 

 
Wednesday, March  11
SECTION 8 AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WORKSHOP

Our partnership with MFOFC and Riverside Community Care continues with this "Full Life Ahead" Workshop on Section 8 and other affordable housing options for people with disabilities. Susan Nohl, Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership will explain all the ins-and-outs of Section 8, the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), state and federal public housing and low income tax credit (LITC) units. 

 

 
Wednesday, March 25
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (WILBRAHAM)

Join Wilbraham area grandparents for an informal gathering where you can meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.  

 

 
Saturday, March 28
31st MDSC ANNUAL "WORLD IS OURS" CONFERENCE 
Join us for a day of learning and celebration. Our conference on Down syndrome is for parents, educators, self advocates, brothers and sisters, and other family members and professionals. Participants will hear the latest research findings and important information from national and local experts on a range of topics related to Down syndrome. They also share stories, celebrate victories, advocate for acceptance and inclusion, and reunite with other MDSC families. 

Early Bird Rates Thru Feb. 28
 
Tuesday, March 31
MDSC WEBINAR: CURRICULUM MODIFICATIONS
MDSC Education Director Mo Blazejewski, a veteran educator herself, leads a professional development webinar tackling where educators might begin when developing curriculum modifications for their students. 

 

 
APRIL
 
April 4
NEW FAMILY SOCIAL
Families of children with Down syndrome three years old and younger, as well as expectant families, are warmly invited to join MDSC staff and other new families for an informal get-together with light refreshments!
Learn More

April 5
A.I.M. - SPRING IS IN THE AIR!
The sun is out (we hope) and our Advocates In Motion members are ready to take advantage of the warmer weather and get outside!
Learn More
April 8
A FULL LIFE AHEAD WORKSHOP
Our collaboration with MFOFC continues with our Full Life Ahead series at our Burlington office. Topic to be announced. 
Learn More



April 11
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (NORWOOD)
Join Norwood area grandparents for an informal get-togethers in a supportive atmosphere to meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.
Learn More
April 20
2015 BOSTON MARATHON
MDSC Runners Ryan Trott, Andrew Thompson, Lisa Adelman, John Clark, Evelyn Porter, Lisa Panora and Eddie Hulton make the epic trek from Hopkinton to Copley Square in the 119th Boston Marathon... and raise funds and awareness for Down syndrome with every step! (If you're a qualified runner with a race entry bib and would like to join Team MDSC please e-mail race@mdsc.org for more information.)
Learn More

April 21
WEBINAR FOR EDUCATORS 
MDSC Education Director Mo Blazejewski, a veteran educator herself, leads a professional development webinar tackling how educators can communicate expectations around curriculum modifications for their students.  
Learn More
MAY
 
May 3
AIM MEETING: THE MAYN (MAIN) EVENT
Join our A.I.M. group for our May event at the Newton YMCA! The MDSC's AIM: Teen and Young Adult Program provides fun, inclusive, interactive events each month for teens and young adults 13 to 22. AIM participants develop leadership and self-advocacy skills.
Learn More

May 9
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (NORWOOD)
Join Norwood area grandparents for an informal get-together in a supportive atmosphere to meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.
Learn More
May 9
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (CENTERVILLE)
Join Centerville area grandparents for an informal get-together in a supportive atmosphere to meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.



May 12
WEBINAR FOR EDUCATORS
MDSC Education Director Mo Blazejewski, a veteran educator herself, leads a professional development webinar takes a look at curriculum modification examples from the field. 
Wednesday, May 13         
REAL LIVES & ABLE ACT  - A FULL LIFE AHEAD SERIES

If you missed our session at the Annual Conference this year, here's another opportunity to learn about what these two major pieces of legislation will mean to you. Buddy Bostick of The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport and John Nadworny of Special Needs Financial Planning discuss the implications of these two bills. 

 

 
 
May 23
AIM TRIP TO GOLF COUNTRY
Tee off with our A.I.M. group for a second May event - a miniature golf outing! The MDSC's AIM: Teen and Young Adult Program provides fun, inclusive, interactive events each month for teens and young adults 13 to 22. AIM participants develop leadership and self-advocacy skills.
Learn More
May 27
GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP (WILBRAHAM)
Join Wilbraham area grandparents an informal get-together in a supportive atmosphere where you can meet other grandparents, learn more about Down syndrome and discover and share helpful resources.
Learn More
JUNE
Monday, June 1
8th ANNUAL GOLF-A-THON 

The MDSC hosts its 8th Annual Corporate Golf Tournament at Turner Hill in Ipswich on June 1.  The event, sponsored by the MDSC's Business Advisory Council, includes a round of golf, awards dinner, raffle, silent auction, and live auction. Opportunities for companies to play or sponsor available.