Empowerment Series

Empowerment Series typically occur once a week for 3 – 5 weeks. The classes build upon each other and are designed to empower individuals with Down syndrome to try a new activity or work on a skill. Registration is required. For most series, there is a one-time $20 fee to participate for the entire series. DSAGC families are welcome to use our Community Participation Fund to help cover the cost.

Below are the Empowerment Series available for Fall 2023. New Empowerment Series are offered each quarter.

Winter (Jan, Feb, Mar - registration opens Dec 1)
Spring (Apr, May, June - registration opens Mar 1)
Summer (July, Aug, Sept - registration opens June 1)
Fall (Oct, Nov, Dec - registration opens Sept 1)

Fall 2023 Empowerment Series

Tiny Tots Gymnastics

Ages: 3 - 5
Date: Saturdays (October 7 - November 11)
Time: 11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Location: The Gymnastics Center - 5166 Crookshank Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45238
Cost: $20
Description: This class will be held in the preschool gym with the loving support of a parent or caregiver. With movement education as the basis for teaching, this class features Olympic-styled equipment scaled to the preschooler. Each class begins with a warm-up, followed by a continuous course of activities on the equipment. The instructors act as facilitators, building skills at each child’s level of development. The focus areas of this class are hanging, rolling, balancing, climbing, and swinging. All participants must register through the DSAGC, sign a “Gymnastics Center” waiver, and have a note from their primary doctor stating they are able to participate.
Register

Soccer Shots - Kid

Ages: 6 - 12
Dates: Thursdays (November 16 - January 18) No classes 11/23, 12/7, 12/14, 1/4
Time: 5:30 – 6:15 pm
Location: Christ Fellowship Church - 5000 North Bend Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
Cost: $20
Description: Soccer Shots is an engaging children's soccer program with a focus on character development. The coaches aim to positively impact children's lives on and off the field through our best-in-class coaching, communication, and curriculum.
Register

Soccer Shots - Teen

Ages: 13 - 17
Dates: Thursdays (November 16 - January 18) No classes 11/23, 12/7, 12/14, 1/4
Time: 6:25 – 7:10 pm
Location: Christ Fellowship Church, 5000 North Bend Road, 45211
Cost: $20
Description: Soccer Shots is an engaging children's soccer program with a focus on character development. The coaches aim to positively impact children's lives on and off the field through our best-in-class coaching, communication, and curriculum.
Register

Martial Arts

Ages: 12 – 17
Date: Tuesdays (October 3 – 24)
Time: 7 – 7:45 pm
Location: Eastgate Martial Arts Club - 471 Old State Route 74 Cincinnati, OH 45244
Cost: $20
Description: Join Don MacFarland, Martial Artist, to learn the basics of martial arts. Participants will learn discipline, respect, and honor while gaining skills in stretching, “pad work”, safety awareness, and self-defense…all while having fun and interacting with each other!
Register

Self-Defense Training

Ages: 16 & up
Dates: Mondays (September 18, 25 and October 2)
Time: 6:30 - 8 pm
Location: Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati – 4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite B Cincinnati, OH 45212
Cost: $20
Description: This series provides a toolbox of immediate mental, verbal, and physical responses to risky situations - from boundary violations and harassment to physical assault. We will practice all 5 safety principles of Empowerment Self-Defense—Think, Yell, Run, Fight, Tell—through discussion, activities, and hands-on, gross-motor technique practice. Key lessons will include communicating and respecting personal boundaries, understanding consent, knowing when to leave an unsafe situation, and getting support when you need help. Open to participants ages 16 and up. A primary caregiver is required to attend each session. Wear comfortable clothes and get ready to have fun!
******Please reserve registration for those who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in past THRIVE SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES until August 1st. If you aren’t sure if you’ve participated in the past, email MollyB@dsagc.com.
Register

Hear what previous participants had to say:

"Bullying and manipulation took our words from us and gave us feelings we didn't understand, the Thrive Empowerment workshop helped us learn that words are not the only way to communicate. By defining our personal space and using our body, we could "say" we deserve to be safe and respected. That is helping us slowly feel stronger, safer and regain our speaking voice."

“The Thrive program was a hands-on empowering self-defense workshop. It also served as a forum for the participants to get to find their voice, share their feelings and get to know each other better. I highly recommend it!”

Leisure Exploration

Ages: 18 - 34
Date: Saturdays (November 18, December 2, and December 16) + Info Session (Thursday, November 2)
Time: There will be an info session on Thursday, November 2^nd from 6 – 7:30 pm. At this session, participants will choose which leisure activities they’d like to explore. The times and locations will vary depending on which activities they choose. However, each activity will be around 2 hours.
Location: DSAGC Empowerment Center – 4623 Wesley Ave Suite B, Cincinnati OH, 45212 and Various Locations Depending on Activity Chosen
Cost: $30
Description: Looking to explore new activities or hobbies? Our leisure exploration series will provide young adults with the opportunity to explore new activities to do in the community. At the first session, we will discuss what “leisure” is and participants will have the opportunity to choose their schedule of leisure activities for the remainder of the program. Over the following weeks, participants will get to try these new activities and will be provided with resources on how to continue their new leisure activities and hobbies at home or out in the community.
Register

Theater Program

Ages: 18+
Date: Mondays (October 16 - November 20)
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm
Location: DSAGC Empowerment Center – 4623 Wesley Ave Suite B, Cincinnati OH, 45212
Cost: $20
Description: Want to have fun, be a better you, and maybe even become a star?! Jump with both feet into this exciting partnership with DSAGC and American Legacy Theater! With a commitment to making a more equitable tomorrow through accessible theater, we are making sure you are empowered to be the best version of you! This multi-week program will have elements of both induvial and collaborative exploration that focuses on storytelling around themes and ideas that are important to you. This will include movement, vocalization, improvisation, and more! Our hope is to adapt flexibly to the needs of the group and improve your skills to be ready to share some of your work with friends and family at a performance on November 20. No previous theater experience is required. However, we do ask that you commit to regular attendance and have a very open and positive mindset. This program is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
Register

Lifelong Learning Lab: Social Skills

Ages: 22+
Date: Wednesdays (October 4 - November 8)
Time: 6 - 8 pm
Location: Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati – 4623 Wesley Ave Suite A, Cincinnati OH, 45212
Cost: $20
Description: Our Lifelong Learning Labs are designed for those who have graduated high school and are looking to continue working on their educational skills. We offer our Learning Labs each quarter and learning focus changes each time (math, writing, reading, social skills). This fall, our instructor will work with participants on social skills through a variety of functional activities. Dinner will be provided for participants each night.
Register

Movement and Motivation

Ages: 30+
Dates: Tuesdays (October 24 - November 14)
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm
Location: DSAGC Empowerment Center – 4623 Wesley Avenue, Suite B Cincinnati, Ohio 45212
Cost: $20
Description: Fitness Instructor, Lauren Krebs, will lead participants through a series of low impact movement exercises that will focus on strength, balance, and stamina. This class is open to individuals of all athletic abilities…beginners to pros!
Register

Walking Club

Our walking club is open to families of all ages! Coach “Smitty” will work with interested families in creating a schedule and meeting spot! If interested, email smithmi@zoomtown.com.