Gateway Down Syndrome Association

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Gateway Down Syndrome Association HOUSE RULES

Our page provides a place to discuss news, events and resources that are relevant and helpful to the Down syndrome community.

The mission of the Gateway Down Syndrome Association is to serve, support, and celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and their families, through every stage of life. The following guidelines are designed to help provide a quality environment for our fans and ensure our page remains a safe environment for those who visit. Please take a minute to read them and keep them in mind whenever you participate. By using or accessing this page, you agree to comply with Facebook’s Terms and Conditions. We encourage you to leave comments, photos, videos and links here, as long as they are relevant to the intent of the page and provide value to fellow fans. Please be respectful of the community as a whole. We will review all posts and we reserve the right to remove those that do not adhere to our guidelines. We will block anyone who violates our guidelines repeatedly. Further, we will not tolerate these kinds of posts and these will be removed immediately:

• Abusive, harassing, stalking, threatening or attacking others
• Defamatory, offensive, obscene, vulgar or depicting violence
• Hateful language targeting race/ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality or political beliefs
• Fraudulent, deceptive, misleading or unlawful
• Trolling or deliberate disruption of discussion
• Violations of any intellectual property rights
• Spamming in nature
• Uploading files that contain viruses or programs that could damage the operation of other people’s computers
• Link baiting (embedding a link in your post to draw traffic to your own site)

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!  Make sure you grab your Deals for Down Syndrome Coupon Book while in-store sales are going on! For...
10/14/2026

TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Make sure you grab your Deals for Down Syndrome Coupon Book while in-store sales are going on!

For just $5, you can score amazing deals on your Penn Station favorites while supporting a meaningful cause! Even better, 100% of the proceeds from every coupon book purchased will be donated to GDSA!

đź“… IN-STORE SALES ON BOOKS END OCTOBER 31ST!

Don't wait until it's too late, stop by Penn Station and get your coupon book today!

Belonging means being accepted for who I am.For Mayci, belonging means being in a space where she can be fully herself -...
10/14/2026

Belonging means being accepted for who I am.

For Mayci, belonging means being in a space where she can be fully herself -without having to pretend or change. It means being valued and respected, having her abilities recognized, and knowing that others see her potential.

Mayci also knows the power of community. Through the partnership between her White Castle family and Gateway Down Syndrome Association, she has seen how coming together around a shared cause can create stronger connections and support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

She hopes others will remember that people with Down syndrome have dreams, talents, personalities, and so much love to share. They bring joy and unique perspectives to the world, and they deserve to be celebrated for exactly who they are.

This October, we’re sharing stories like Mayci’s to celebrate the many ways people experience belonging, and the communities that help make it possible.

Want to hear more stories of belonging? Pre-order Belonging: A Book of Photographs and Stories Celebrating the Gateway Down Syndrome Association Community.

Pre-order: gatewaydsa.org/belonging

Belonging starts here.

We’re getting closer to our Southern Illinois Family Day at Breezy Hill Farm, and we’d love for our Southern Illinois fa...
10/13/2026

We’re getting closer to our Southern Illinois Family Day at Breezy Hill Farm, and we’d love for our Southern Illinois families to join us for an afternoon of fun, connection, and time together!

Come enjoy the farm and make some memories with our Gateway DSA community. We hope to see you there!

đź“… Saturday, October 24th
⏰ 2:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 Breezy Hill Farm
14421 4 Mile Lane, Benton, IL 62812

Registration is required! Sign up at gatewaydsa.org/family-events

SEMO CHAPTER:There’s still time to get in on Buddy Up Pickleball!We still have a couple of sessions left in our Cape Gir...
10/13/2026

SEMO CHAPTER:

There’s still time to get in on Buddy Up Pickleball!

We still have a couple of sessions left in our Cape Girardeau Buddy Up Pickleball program! Athletes ages 12+ can join us for a fun, supportive environment where they’ll build pickleball skills, teamwork, confidence, and friendships alongside trained Buddy volunteers.

📍 The Pickleball Factory in Cape Girardeau
⏰ Mondays, 6:00–7:00 PM
đź“… A couple sessions are still remaining!

Whether you’re already a pickleball pro or picking up a paddle for the first time, there’s a place for you on the court!

Learn more and get connected at buddyupforlife.org or email [email protected]

Grateful for our friends at Cape Electrical Supply for sponsoring our SEMO Chapter Step Up for Down Syndrome event this ...
10/12/2026

Grateful for our friends at Cape Electrical Supply for sponsoring our SEMO Chapter Step Up for Down Syndrome event this past weekend! It's partners like these that help us grow the chapter and serve, support, and celebrate even more individuals and families in the Southeast Missouri region. 💛💙💛💙

We’re so excited to partner with Dierbergs and Max Mix to celebrate Max’s passion, dreams, and journey toward independen...
10/12/2026

We’re so excited to partner with Dierbergs and Max Mix to celebrate Max’s passion, dreams, and journey toward independence!

Throughout October, Dierbergs and Max Mix will each donate $1 to our organization for every bottle of Max Mix sold, that’s $2 donated for every bottle

You can show your support by picking up a bottle of Max Mix, spreading the word, and helping us build a more inclusive community where individuals with Down syndrome are supported in pursuing their dreams and living more independent lives.

Want to meet Max and get your bottle signed? Check out the flyer for upcoming dates and locations!

Thank you to Dierbergs, Max Mix, and everyone who helps make a difference. Together, we’re creating opportunities, celebrating abilities, and building a brighter future!

Our October Lunch & Learn is coming up!Join us for a conversation about Resource Connections for Jefferson County with D...
10/12/2026

Our October Lunch & Learn is coming up!

Join us for a conversation about Resource Connections for Jefferson County with DDA. We’ll be joined by Donna Pulliam, Intake and Community Resource Specialist with Developmental Disability Advocates (DDA), to learn more about the resources, service connections, waiver support, and community partnerships available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, professional, or simply looking to learn more, this is a great opportunity to connect with local resources and ask questions!

đź“… October 10th
⏰ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
đź’» Zoom

Register at gatewaydsa.org/workshops and join us for this month’s Lunch & Learn!

Belonging means having unconditional love.When Nicholas was born, Janet’s world turned upside down. Her pregnancy had be...
10/11/2026

Belonging means having unconditional love.

When Nicholas was born, Janet’s world turned upside down. Her pregnancy had been difficult, and the family wasn’t sure he would make it. They also didn’t know he had Down syndrome. But over time, Janet came to realize that the path ahead could still be filled with love, joy, and possibility.

Through Gateway Down Syndrome Association, Nicholas and his family found a community of people who helped guide and support them along the way.

And Nicholas has certainly made the most of his journey. He loves to perform, has been part of a dance group, plays in a rock band, and loves being on stage. His confidence and joy have taught his mom to let go of some of her plans for the future and love where they are in the moment.

Even through challenges, Nicholas continues to show his strength and perseverance. His family’s dream is simple: that he lives his best life, surrounded by people who love, support, and cherish him.

For Nicholas, belonging means being "accepted for who you are”,and having people beside you to help you achieve your goals.

This October, we’re celebrating the many people and stories that show us what belonging can look like. Pre-order Belonging: A Book of Photographs and Stories Celebrating the Gateway Down Syndrome Association Community to discover more stories of love, connection, and community.

Pre-order: gatewaydsa.org/belonging

Belonging starts here.

SEMO CHAPTER: IT’S EVENT DAY!Before we step up and get moving, we want to give one final THANK YOU to all of the incredi...
10/10/2026

SEMO CHAPTER: IT’S EVENT DAY!

Before we step up and get moving, we want to give one final THANK YOU to all of the incredible sponsors who made today’s Step Up for Down Syndrome SEMO Chapter event possible!

From supporting our mission to helping make this day happen, your generosity makes a real difference for individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout Southeast Missouri. We are so grateful for each and every one of you!

Cape Electrical Supply Chick-fil-A Walmart Cape Noon Optimist Club MRV Banks Simply Swirled - Frozen Yogurt & More Cape Catfish Saint Francis Healthcare System Crystal Heating & Cooling My Daddy's Cheesecake Bakery and Cafe Marcus Cape West Cinema Heartland Coca-Cola

We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone TODAY! Let’s make it a great day!

Belonging means knowing I’m not alone.When Renata received Ryan’s Down syndrome diagnosis, she describes feeling like th...
10/09/2026

Belonging means knowing I’m not alone.

When Renata received Ryan’s Down syndrome diagnosis, she describes feeling like the whole room went dark. There was so much to process, and she knew she had a lot to learn.

Then she found Gateway Down Syndrome Association.

Through GDSA, Renata found information, support, connection, and a community of families who understood what she was experiencing. She eventually became a new mom mentor herself, helping other families navigate their own journeys.

Over the years, Ryan has continued to surprise and inspire her. She was once told he might never walk or talk. Today, he walks, talks, runs, and does so many of the things other kids do. As Renata says, “The path is just different.”

Being Ryan’s mom has taught Renata patience, love, and compassion, and changed the way she sees the world. “Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging. We all want to belong somewhere.”

This October, we’re sharing stories that remind us that belonging can look different for everyone - but we all deserve to find our place.

Pre-order Belonging: A Book of Photographs and Stories Celebrating the Gateway Down Syndrome Association Community and discover more stories of connection, family, and community.

Pre-order: gatewaydsa.org/belonging

Belonging starts here.

Address

1201 Hanley Industrial Court, Ste A
St. Louis, MO
63144

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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