DSL Awarded Grant for Early Childhood Education by V.V. Cooke Foundation


Down Syndrome of Louisville is honored to be a recipient of a grant from the V.V. Cooke Foundation. The partnership with V.V. Cooke will allow Down Syndrome of Louisville to provide continued Early Childhood Education (ECE) support and resources to our families. 

ECE provides developmental and intellectual intervention for children with Down syndrome (DS) between the ages of 0-5. Children born with DS have developmental and intellectual delays that result in an increased need for physical, language, and behavioral support. Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, saying a first word, and dressing oneself are all developmental milestones children with DS need assistance to achieve. 

“We are thankful to have partners in our community that align with our cause and support our mission of supporting, educating, and advocating for individuals with Down syndrome” said Development Director, Nicole Volz. This partnership with the V.V. Cooke Foundation allows us to continue to expand our ECE programing and services, and reach individuals and families who were previously unreached. An important resource offered to our ECE families are the take-home therapy tools which allow families to continue practicing developmental milestone skills from the comfort of their homes. 

About Down Syndrome of Louisville

Down Syndrome of Louisville, Inc. (DSL) is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 by Mary Carter, an early childhood educator who established the first Early Intervention Education program for children with Down syndrome in Kentucky. In 1991, DSL incorporated and began offering support to individuals of all ages with Down syndrome. In 2011, the Lifelong Learning Center was erected, the only known Lifelong Learning Center in the world for individuals with Down syndrome. Down syndrome of Louisville offers support, education, and advocacy to the 1,000+ individuals living in Louisville and surrounding counties; including Southern Indiana. 

 About the Grantor

The foundation was established in 1947 in honor of V.V. Cooke. Thanks to years of experience, they understand the process that a nonprofit organization has to go through to become successful. For over seven decades, the V.V. Cooke Foundation has dedicated itself to helping our community. Led by executive director, Carl Thomas, their team is here to ensure that nonprofits  get the support they need. 

For more information please contact Nicole Volz at 502-495-5088 or nicolev@dsoflou.org


Similar Articles

DSL New Text Only Number

DSL will soon begin sending all of our text messages from one local number.  This TEXT ONLY number will be 502-289-6106.  Please save this number in your phone as “DSL TEXTS” or something similar so that you do not miss any important information from DSL. This number will slowly replace texts from Remind. We will […]

Read More

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) […]

Read More

Gallop Gala Preview Party

Down Syndrome of Louisville wants YOU to join us for our preview party where you will experience a taste of Gallop Gala ’23. Featuring our signature drink, “The Sparkler,” and yummy appetizers, it’s sure to be a night to remember! We will be raffling off a Thunder Over Louisville suite for 20! As an added […]

Read More

Ham and Cheese Wafflewiches-Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Easy (oven or air fryer and skillet or panini press/sandwich press) Ingredients: For the kale chips: 1 bunch kale (about 1 pound), preferably Tuscan 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt For the Wafflewich 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated 1/3 cup honey mustard 8 frozen waffles 1/2 pound deli-sliced ham […]

Read More

Big Mac Sliders- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level- Medium (Stove, Oven) Makes 12 sliders Ingredients: 1 onion 1 pound of ground beef or turkey 12 slider buns (most come in packs of 6) American cheese (about 6 slices) Pickles 2 tablespoons melted butter Sesame seeds For the Mac Sauce: 2 (large) tablespoons mayo Squeeze of mustard Squeeze of ketchup 2 […]

Read More

Dill Pickle Soup- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Easy (stove, optional crockpot) Ingredients: 1 package of bratwurst (Carly will use bacon and cheddar) Some folks use already cooked/grilled brats for this and slice them for the soup. This is a great recipe for grill leftovers! Carly will be cooking her brats like sausage during class) 1 small onion, chopped 1 […]

Read More

Crockpot Chili- Virtual Cooking Class

DSL Chef Level: Easy (stove, crockpot)  Ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey 1 packet of Bloemer’s Chili Seasoning 1 can kidney beans 1 16oz jar of chunky salsa (We like ChiChis brand) 1 4oz can of tomato paste 1 8oz can of tomato sauce Macaroni or spaghetti noodles (optional) Cheddar cheese (for […]

Read More

2022 DSL Impact Report

Check out our 2022 Impact Report!

Read More

Holiday Silent Auction

Read More

Support our #GivingTuesday campaign! People all around the world are coming together to tap into the power of human connection and strengthen communities and change the world. Will you be one of them? Donate to our Giving Tuesday campaign here!

Read More

Woodford Reserve/DSL Bottle Pre-Order

Down Syndrome of Louisville and Woodford Reserve have collaborated for a truly unforgettable 2022 Holiday Season! There will be 75 exclusive bottles of Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select engraved with the Down Syndrome of Louisville logo at two different Evergreen Liquors locations. (150 total!) You can use this form to reserve your bottles ahead of time. By filling […]

Read More

Holiday Silent Auction and Thunder Suite Raffle

We have some AMAZING fundraisers happening right now that you don’t want to miss out on! Wrap up your Holiday shopping early with our Silent Auction and enter our raffle for a chance to win a Thunder Over Louisville experience that you won’t ever forget! HOLIDAY AUCTION THUNDER SUITE RAFFLE

Read More
Translate our Site »