Ups & Downs has supported individuals with Down syndrome, their parents, families, and friends in the Calgary area for over 30 years. We offer over 70 programs a year for children, youth, and adults, which include many opportunities for learning, connecting, and community-involvement. We host annual Christmas parties, Teen and Young Adult Conferences, and regular events/workshops for children, youth, and adults. Street Meet is our largest annual event, a walkathon fundraiser held in June which celebrates individuals who have Down syndrome, along with their families, and friends. We support new and expecting parents, parents that are new to the Calgary area, and parents who are looking to connect with other families through annual training workshops. These workshops help parents navigate Alberta’s healthcare system and the resources available to them within the province. We are an entirely volunteer-run organization, aside from one paid employee.

Our areas of need include the following:

• Donations – both monetary and gifts in kind;
• Event space within Calgary – we are always looking for more spaces to host our events which include concerts, camping, conferences and workshops;
• Guest speakers/presenters – we would love to have more educational and motivational speakers available for our conferences, workshops, and events;
• Transportation; and
• Volunteers.