In Our Community

Sharing the Gift of Kindness on Giving Tuesday

On #GivingTuesday, we joined together to support, educate, and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome and raised over $6,200! Thank you to our amazing community for your generous gift of kindness this holiday season – we are so grateful for you! Throughout the day on Giving Tuesday, we were able to share some of our […]

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DSL on Seeing Ability Podcast

  DSL Parents, Tonya Shown and Danny Slaton, joined our Executive Director, Julie Torzewski, on the Seeing Ability Podcast this week to share about our amazing members and all that DSL does for our community. Check it out here!

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DSL on Talk About Town Podcast

  Our very own Sam Roach, Julie Torzewski, and Tim Curtis were just on the Talk About Town podcast sharing about DSL and our amazing members! Check it out: https://fb.watch/o0KPiTy1AJ/

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Meet our 2023 Annual Award Winners…

Joseph O. Thomas Volunteer Award goes to Pam Taylor – For extraordinary volunteer service to Down Syndrome of Louisville. “Pam has been dedicating her time and talents to DSL for many years She unselfishly gives of her time. Her hours devoted behind the scenes would be impossible to add up!” “Pam is always willing to help […]

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DSL Executive Director Named 2023 “Most Admired Woman”

We are thrilled to announce that Julie Torzewski, Executive Director at Down Syndrome of Louisville, has been honored as Today’s Woman Magazine’s “Most Admired Woman” in the category of “Community and Sisterhood”! Julie’s  dedication and passion for advocating for individuals with Down syndrome and their families have made her an inspiring leader. She has transformed […]

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Celebrating Brianna Heitzman: A Champion of Inclusion and Advocate for All

In a world that constantly strives for progress and equality, it is important to recognize individuals who dedicate themselves to advocating for the rights and inclusion of marginalized communities. Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) is proud to have an extraordinary employee, Brianna Heitzman, who has recently been honored with the prestigious Jim Chesser Award for […]

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World Down Syndrome Day 2023- Choose Your Own Adventure

Down Syndrome of Louisville Encourages Community to Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day  The nonprofit is teaming up with local businesses for a weekend-long celebration. To see the complete calendar of events for DSL’s World Down Syndrome Day celebration, see below. Louisville, Ky. (March 15, 2023) ­– Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) […]

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#GiveforGoodLou 2022 was GROOVY!

We had a GROOVY #GiveforGoodLou this week and raised $20,320 in less than 24 hours. THANK YOU TO OUR 94 DONORS and OUR GENEROUS $10,000 MATCH! And thank you to the Community Foundation of Louisville for hosting such a wonderful day of giving! We are so grateful to our Kindness Warrior Community!  

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DSL Day at Churchill Downs!

Spend a day at the track celebrating Down Syndrome of Louisville! SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th! Gates open at 11:30 and the first race is at 12:45. Our races are 4,5,6, & 7! You can purchase general admission tickets HERE!

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DSL Member, Jill Wright, cast in Sister Act the Musical

Congrats to DSL Member, Jill Wright, on being cast in Redline Performing Arts Company’s upcoming production of Sister Act the Musical! “Sister Act is the feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner, Alan Menken (Newsies, Beauty […]

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A bright red and yellow banner advertising Redline Performing Arts Company's upcoming Sister Act the Musical featuring headshots of cast members in small circles.

A Few Career Solutions Highlights from 2022

We are so proud of our Career Solutions Team who work tirelessly to find new employment opportunities for our members and provide support and encouragement to those already out working in our community! Check out a few of their success highlights below: Jonathan Boiney, who has worked for the La Grange Police Department since 2017, was […]

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Pop-Up Programming Success

With the generous support of the NASCAR Foundation, Down Syndrome of Louisville began providing Pop-Up Programming in areas around Louisville in February and it has been a positive experience for all involved.  Many of our members cannot make it to our campus for classes due to distance- but they have welcomed having opportunities that they […]

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Down Syndrome of Louisville Announces its 30th Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament

Nonprofit to host unFOREgettable event on June 12-13 to benefit its mission Presented by Zoeller Pump Company Louisville, Ky. (May 9, 2022) – Down Syndrome of Louisville (DSL) will host its 30th annual Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament, presented by Zoeller Pump Company, on June 12-13 at Audubon Country Club. All funds raised from the event will […]

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DSL’s Own David DeSanctis in Hallmark Movie Out June 12

Hallmark to Debut Romance Centered on Lead Character With Down Syndrome (Exclusive)   By Philiana Ng‍ 10:56 AM PDT, April 13, 2022 Link to original article  Hallmark Movies & Mysteries will premiere a new romance centered on a lead character with Down syndrome, ET can exclusively reveal. Color My World With Love, which recently wrapped production, follows […]

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David DeSanctis Movie

DSL Members Selected to Participate in Kentucky Derby Festival Fashion Show

Down Syndrome of Louisville Members Selected to Participate in Kentucky Derby Festival Spring Fashion Show Bridget Matsen and Madeline Franklin will be walking the runway on Thursday, March 31 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 30, 2022) – Two Down Syndrome of Louisville members will participate in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival (KDF) Spring Fashion Show Presented by Macy’s […]

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Penn Station Hosts National Fundraiser for Local Down Syndrome Associations

Funds raised at Louisville Penn Station locations will be donated to Down Syndrome of Louisville For the third year in a row, Penn Station is hosting its Round-Up for Down Syndrome campaign from March 1-21, which will benefit Down Syndrome organizations across the country, including Down Syndrome of Louisville. During the campaign, participants can grab […]

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Down Syndrome of Louisville Fundraiser Returns to Live Format

Down Syndrome of Louisville Fundraiser Returns to Live Format The 11th Annual Gallop Gala presented by MHS Louisville, Ky. (Feb. 2, 2022) – Down Syndrome of Louisville is celebrating the 11th year of it’s popular fundraising event, the Gallop Gala, by returning to an in-person format. The event will be held at Churchill Downs on […]

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DSL Career Solutions Trainees Start New Jobs

BIG congrats to Bailee – today is her first day of work at her first PAID position, at Burkes Outlet!! We are so proud of you, Bailee! A big thanks and congrats to Kristen Falcone and the DSL Career Solutions Team for training Bailee and prepping her for success!! Another proud Career Solutions moment today […]

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DSL Dad Wins NASCAR’s Humanitarian Award

Thank you to everyone who stayed the course and voted for Jeff each day during this exciting season! We are so excited to announce that our votes paid off and Jeff won NASCAR’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award! This is a huge win for Jeff and DSL! The $100,000 will allow us to continue to support, […]

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Thank You Gheens Foundation!

ThankYou so much to the Gheens Foundation for their generous grant to help build a lounge for our aging members! We are so grateful! Excited to be able to better serve our members at ALL stages of life! #ThankfulThursday #DSLKindnessWarrior

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Scott Burt – Keeping Best Buy In Line

Meet Scott Burt! Scott works at Best Buy & Geek Squad as a Receiving Utility Agent for the Parts Team. Scott has been with Best Buy GSC for more than a decade!! This is nothing short of amazing! So proud of Scott and his eleven years with the company! “Scott likes to keep everyone on […]

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Ian Mauney Celebrates 12 years with Best Buy

Ian Mauney has been with Best Buy’s Geek Squad (GSC) for twelve years, serving as a Parts Product Agent! Way to go Ian! “There is never a dull moment with Ian. He is always willing to help wherever he is needed. Ian not only unboxes for us in the receiving area but he also makes […]

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National Disability Employment Spotlight – Meet Yug

One more #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwareness post to celebrate another hard worker! Meet Yug Tyagi! He works in Health and Beauty Care 38 hours a week at Walmart, straightening shelves, stocking new products, and processing returns. When it comes to his job, Yug is fast, precise, and focused. He not only keeps up with his typical peers, but […]

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National Disability Employment Awareness Spotlight – Derrick and Aaron

Another #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth proud moment! Career Solutions Specialist, Kristen Falcone, caught this on camera earlier last week: Derrick being a proud papa and taking photos of his independent trainee Aaron! DSL member Aaron is applying for an opening at Big Lots where member Derrick has been an employee for over 15 years. Aaron shadowed Derrick at […]

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Penni Williams Celebrates 10 years with Best Buy – NDEAM Spotlight

Did you know October is not just #DownSyndromeAwarenessMonth but also #NationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth! We want to celebrate Penni Williams for 10 years of service at BestBuy – Way to go Penni! “Penni works with Tiffany Smith and James Baxter in the Parts Department, and she just celebrated her ten-year anniversary with us. Penni came to me and expressed that […]

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Local Driver Drives Dollars for Local Charity

Down Syndrome of Louisville Recognized as a Finalist for $100,000 National Grant Through the NASCAR Foundation’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Online Voting Begins 10/14/2021 at 6 p.m. and Runs through November 12th at Noon (LOUISVILLE, KY) October 14, 2021 – Down Syndrome of Louisville has announced today that it is in the running for […]

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Super Supporter – Miss Charnette

Charnette Batey is joy and sunshine and has shared her creativity, energy, and love of movement with our members during her guest teaching segments on Boogie Down Crew. Throughout the pandemic, Miss Charnette brightened the lives of our members with her yoga and dance classes, always ensuring her classes were all ability-friendly, high energy, and […]

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Corey Competes in Triathlon

Congrats to Corey Morgan, who recently completed his first Triathlon race after 5 months of training! Corey was inspired by Chris Nikic, the first individual with Down syndrome to complete an ironman triathlon, and has worked so hard to get to this place. Corey completed the Ironcology Team Triathlon race in Versailles, Kentucky. This race, […]

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ADA Takes on Taekwondo

In July, ADA has had the privilege of hosting a weekly virtual taekwondo (TKD) class with our new friend and instructor Vanesa, who is teaching us all the way from Bilbao, Spain!! Vanesa, who is a black belt in TKD, is completing her Ph.D. in the Physical Activity and Sports program at the University of […]

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Down Syndrome of Louisville Awarded $1800 From Louisville Metro Government

Down Syndrome of Louisville is honored to be a recipient of a grant from the Louisville Metro Government. The partnership with Lou Metro will allow Down Syndrome of Louisville to continue providing vital services to individuals with Down syndrome through our Summer Education Enrichment (SEE) and Career Solutions programs. Thank you, Louisville Metro Government!

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