About

Up With Downs is a local advocate of the Down Syndrome Community

Local advocate in the Shreveport Bossier City area

Up with Downs, is a non-profit organization that was started in the early 1990’s. The mission of Up with Downs is to be the local advocate in the Shreveport Bossier City area for our Down Syndrome community. Our group's goal is to help enhance the quality of life for all individuals with Down Syndrome by providing resources and support to those individuals, their families, professionals and the community.

MISSION STATEMENT

We host several events in a year with 3 main goals:

Promote Acceptance

To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

Raise Funds

To raise funds for education, research and advocacy programs.

Create a Positive Impact

To positively influence local and national practice.

How Funds are Used

Precious Gift Kits

Funds raised from our annual Buddy Walk, our Golf Tournament and other events, are used to provide “Precious Gifts” kits for new parents who may need some comfort and reassurance on the day their baby is born.

We host an annual World Down Syndrome Day Dinner and Dance, a Summer Bash party and a Christmas Dinner for our families. All of these events allow our families to come together at least a few times a year.

Dinner and Dance
Annual event to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

Summer Bash Party
Summer event for families and individuals with special needs.

Christmas Dinner
Christmas dinner for our families.

In addition to the new Parent packs, we are able to give back to other Organizations that support individuals with disabilities nationally and locally. We give back to the National Down Syndrome Society, 4 local Camp programs, 2 Parents Night Out programs.

National Down Syndrome Society
NDSS is the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Camp Programs
Local camp programs that support people with special needs.

Parents Night Out
An event that allows parents of children with special needs to form bonds with other parents in the community.

We also give back to a local Church that host a Special Needs Prom every year, a local Residential Facility, a Daycare that specializes in caring for special needs children of all types, a special needs T-ball team, Swim team and Cheer Team.