Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio engages community, police officers

by Dan Holland

Originally created in 1983 by a group of parents, the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio, located at 6533 Brecksville Rd., now serves more than 1,000 families across 16 counties in Northeast Ohio.

The nonprofit organization, formerly named “The Upside of Downs,” focuses on five ways to support families and individuals with Down syndrome: advocacy, education programming, family support, medical outreach and social programs.

Executive Director Toni Mullee joined the organization in 2013.

“I didn’t have a direct connection with a family member having Down syndrome, but at the time, I was a nonprofit professional looking to work with an organization that supported families,” she explained. “I’m thankful that we found each other, because it’s been such a joy for me to be part of this organization over the years.”

Mullee stressed that support for families and individuals extends from birth through adulthood.

“We serve individuals with Down syndrome of any age,” said Mullee. “It starts with family support when a family receives a diagnosis all the way throughout the lifetime of the individuals. We provide new parent support, and we have parent mentors that we connect with our families.

“We provide gift baskets celebrating the birth of their child, and we have a new parent celebration to bring these new parents together as well,” she added. “We know how important the community is in supporting one another.”

Programs include support for parents, grandparents, siblings, Spanish-speaking families and families supporting an older family member with Down syndrome.

The organization also provides medical outreach to provide resources for families. Employment training involves reaching out to area businesses to share the value of hiring individuals with Down syndrome.

Education enrichment programs, offered on weekends during the school year, often receive visits and participation from Independence police and fire department personnel. 

“The Independence Police Department deeply values our partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio,” said Independence Police Chief Robert Butler, who has taken part in the group’s programs. “Our officers have enjoyed multiple meaningful interactions with their organization, including story time sessions at their facility and hosting their members at our police station during World Down Syndrome Day. One of our favorite traditions has been participating in their crazy sock initiative, where our officers proudly wear colorful, mismatched socks alongside association members.”

“We have the chance every once in a while, to have one of the officers go over and read one of their books to them,” added Independence Patrolman Leanne Shirk. “I had the opportunity to do that last year, and it was really nice to go and see all the kids and get to interact with them … and see how happy and excited they were to see police officers there.”

A number of fundraising events support the organization including the Sunburst Gala, Rock Your Socks –held March 21 for World Down Syndrome Day – and the annual Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk, which will be held Oct. 4 at The Great Lakes Science Center.

Within the association’s location in Independence is a gift shop called Artful 21, where people can purchase handcrafted artwork, jewelry, stationery and more, all created by individuals with Down syndrome. Purchases support the artists and their small business ventures, according to the nonprofit’s website.

“What I enjoy most about my role is seeing the impact that we have on families,” said Mullee. “I love every one of the individuals with Down Syndrome that I’ve come to know over the years; it’s a very easy thing to love what I’m doing.”

Above all, the group seeks to promote inclusiveness and raise awareness of the needs and abilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

“What we’re able to do for the Northeast Ohio community is to raise awareness of people with Down syndrome and have employers understand why hiring someone with Down syndrome is a good idea, or helping families by providing some additional tools they might need so they’re able to care for individuals with Down Syndrome,” said Mullee. “Strengthening our families, and the individuals we serve, benefits the whole community.”For information, visit dsaneo.org.

Photo caption: Volunteers from the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio take special needs individuals on a fishing trip. Independence police officers participate in the “Rock Your Socks” initiative for World Down Syndrome Day. Photos submitted.