Down Syndrome Association of Hampton Roads

09/07/2026

Hampton Roads!!!! We are again sending the announcement on this page because we reach the most members of our Down Syndrome community in Hampton Roads. We are now under the umbrella of the Virginia Down Syndrome Association (VDSA), so please like and follow the Virginia syndrome Association Hampton Roads page. Our walk is in six weeks. The T-shirt deadline has been extended to September 18, 2026.

We hope to see as many teams & participants as possible! (Be sure to scroll down on the screen where you enter the name of the individual, for the T-shirt size, and to indicate if the individual has Down Syndrome.)

Saturday, October 17th from 10am - 2pm Mount Trashmore Park: 310 Edwin Drive, Virginia Beach Join us for an Awareness Walk, Family Festival, Community Resource Fair, and more! Learn more about the Virginia Down Syndrome Association - virginiadsa.org

08/18/2026

Just a reminder that the deadline to sign up is August 20, 2026. VDSA is also asking that we complete waivers for the event and photography. Links for volunteering for the event and for registration to include the waivers are in the comments. We are still looking for volunteers to help with the cookout. You may also continue to RSVP in the comments. Waivers will be available to be completed at the cookout. Looking forward to seeing everybody on Sunday!

08/16/2026

Hampton Roads, it's your turn to Step UP! 💙
October is getting closer, which means it's time to start thinking about who you're bringing with you! Gather your family, friends, coworkers, or community group and get ready for a day celebrating individuals with Down syndrome while bringing our Hampton Roads community together.
There are so many ways to be part of it. Start a team, join a team, sponsor the event, or simply come out and celebrate with us!
📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📍 Mount Trashmore Park | Virginia Beach
Who's ready to Step UP with us? Tag your team below and start getting your crew together! 👇💙
Register, start a team, or learn about sponsorship using the link in the comments below.

08/11/2026

Please respond to this post by Aug 20, 2026 if you will be attending, the number of your party, and what you are bringing. Ice, chilled water, and coolers are needed. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

08/06/2026

(Again sending on multiple pages)

Good morning and thank you so much for your input! We have compiled a list of the needs of our Hampton Roads Down Syndrome community based on your responses:

Connection to the community
Community events
Frequent meet ups for the different age groups
Meet ups for moms/dads
Meet ups on the Peninsula
Networking
Educational programs (Medicaid waivers, adult transition services, estate planning, IEP, etc)
Partnerships with local hospitals, universities, etc.
List of preferred providers
List of local resources
Respite nights
GiGi’s playhouse

We will share this list with the leadership of VDSA.

The overwhelming need is connection to the community and community events, and these will be our initial focus. We have been in communication with the with VDSA Program Director. To get started, we need to generate a core of local volunteers to help plan and execute our local events. This would include 1 to 2 lead volunteers for the specific age groups: ages 6 to 12, ages 13 to 21, adults over 21. A training session and background check are required for the lead volunteers. The toddler group, ages 0 to 5, is already in place.

OUR PLAN:
We will be hosting a cookout/potluck with a dual purpose:
to gather and fellowship
to provide sign-up sheets for those willing to volunteer in general to help with events, as well as those willing to be lead volunteers

DATE: Sunday August 23, 2026
TIME: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Chesapeake City Park, Shelter 13

Stay tuned for the flyer and more announcements, as we will need volunteers for the cookout. Thank you!

Sarah Newby
Khaleellah Ishmael Pope
Tracy B. Wright, M. D.

07/31/2026

Thank you so much for everyone’s input!! VDSA is paying attention, and we will get back with you concerning updates early next week.

07/28/2026

Posting this on several pages so that as many of our Hampton Roads Down Syndrome community as possible see this. Please respond to this post or to the email that you may have received. Thank you.

Good evening from the former board of the Down Syndrome Association of Hampton Roads! We have been in communication with the leadership of the Virginia Down Syndrome Association (VDSA) to assist with the transition to VDSA Hampton Roads. They raised a question that we need YOUR help to answer. The question is:

What do you feel are the needs of the Hampton Roads Down Syndrome community?

Please respond with your answers as soon as you can, via this Facebook post, or the email that we are also sending. We plan to rank and prioritize the responses, so please be on the lookout for future communications from us. In addition be on the lookout for communications concerning our SUDS Walk planned on October 17, 2026. Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Sincerely,
Sarah Newby
Khaleelah Pope
Tracy B. Wright, M. D.

03/26/2026

Sharing for those who have the DD/ID waiver. Pass along to other local people who mighty benefit too.

03/20/2026

03/13/2026

Don’t forget!! The 12th annual Education & Transition conference is this is THIS Saturday! We’re looking forward to a day of learning, connection, and community. Can’t wait to see you there!

You can still learn more and sign up here: https://virginiadsa.org/education-conference-2/