Community Groups
Community Groups provide information, resources, and support to families connected to the group. They groups are based on location, age, relationship to the person with Down syndrome, culture, and/or native language.
Each group has it’s own unique identity and is supported by the Gateway Down Syndrome Association.
Southern Illinois Community Group
Serves: Carbondale, Creal Spring, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Abigail Bosslet | abigail@gatewaydsa.org | 314.833.7560
Jefferson County Community Group
Serves: Jefferson County and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Jordan Watkins | jordan@gatewaydsa.org | 314.470.4469
Heartland Community Group
Serves: Southeast Missouri including Ste. Genevieve, Perryville, Cape Girardeau, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Katelyn Ludwig | Southeast Missouri Programs & Services Assistant | Katelyn@gatewaydsa.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/heartlandDSA
Upstate Missouri Community Group
Serves: Kirksville, Brookfield and surrounding areas
Main Contact: Abigail Bosslet | abigail@gatewaydsa.org | 314.833.7560
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dscnemo
Black Family Network
Serves: Families in Missouri & Illinois
Main Contact: Jordan Watkins | jordan@gatewaydsa.org | 314.470.4469
Down syndrome & Autism Dual Diagnosis Group
Serves: Families in Missouri & Illinois
Main Contact: Linda Kamphorst | linda@gatewaydsa.org | 314.833.8214
Let's Play Community Group for Littles
Serves: Families in Missouri & Illinois with babies, toddlers, and children pre K – grade 6
Main Contact: Abigail Bosslet | abigail@gatewaydsa.org | 314.833.7560
Facebook: Let’s Play Facebook Group
Let's Hangout Community Group for Tweens
Serves: Families in Missouri & Illinois with Tweens around 8-14 years old
Main Contact: Abigail Bosslet | abigail@gatewaydsa.org | 314.833.7560
Facebook: Let’s Hangout Facebook Group
Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (DADS) Group
Serves: Dads in the Greater St. Louis area
Main Contact: Brad Wright | wright.brad09@gmail.com
Facebook: DADS Facebook Page
OTHER AREA DOWN SYNDROME GROUPS
These are groups that may have their own not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) status, are in our area, are close and valued partners of the Gateway Down Syndrome Association, and who often have overlapping membership
Down Syndrome Innovations - Central Missouri
Serves: Columbia, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Central Missouri
Main Contact: info@kcdsi.org, 913.384.4848
www.facebook.com/centralmodsfamilynetwork
Down Syndrome Group of the Ozarks
Serves: Springfield, MO and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@ozarksdsg.org, 417.885.9905 or 888.655.5173
www.dsgo.life | www.facebook.com/dsgo.life
Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society
Serves: Springfield, IL and surrounding areas
Main Contact: lldss@comcast.net, 217.415.8716
www.lldss.org
www.facebook.com/lincolnlanddownsyndromesociety
Central Illinois Down Syndrome Organization
Serves: McLean County, Bloomington/Normal, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@cidso.org, 309.452.3264
www.cidso.org | www.facebook.com/CIDSO.org
Riverbend Down Syndrome Association
Serves: Southwest Illinois
Main Contact: Secretary@riverbendds.org
www.facebook.com/riverbendds
Down Country
Serves: Hannibal, Palmyra, Quincy, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@upatdowncountry.com, 217.617.3568
www.upatdowncountry.com
www.facebook.com/upatdowncountry
Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome Association
Serves: Peoria County, Tazewell County, and surrounding areas
Main Contact: info@hoidsa.org, 309.712.4852
www.hoidsa.org | www.facebook.com/HOIDSA
Down Syndrome Support Group - Blessing Hospital
Meetings: last Monday of every month at 6:30pm at 11th Street Auditorium at Blessing Hospital
Main Contact: 217.223.8400 x4190