Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota
A Brief History

1984

A small group of parents began to organize out of Fraser School in Richfield.

1985

The first issue of our newsletter, Special Times, was published.

1987

Twin Cities Down Syndrome Association, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization was incorporated.

1995

With the help of Children's Health Care - Minneapolis, we were able to develop and send our Down Comforter new parent information packets to all hospitals in Minnesota. In December, we obtained office space in Plymouth, hired our first staff member and put in an 800 phone number for Greater Minnesota.

1996

Down Comforter information packet for expectant parents was developed and distributed. In April we held our 3rd Regional Conference.

1997

We hired our second part-time staff in January. The state legislature passed a bill appropriating funds for us to produce and distribute our Down Comforter expectant parent packet to medical professionals throughout Minnesota, as well as to families who call our office.

1998

Our 4th Regional Conference in April was held concurrently with our 1st Annual Youth and Adult Conference for people with Down syndrome. In October we held our 1st Annual Buddy Walk at Como Park.

1999

We held our 2nd Annual Youth & Adult Conference in April. We hired our third part time staff member in July. In October we held our 2nd Annual Buddy Walk. Focus groups were held with youth and adults with Down syndrome to develop programs. A journalism workshop was also held in December for self advocates.

2000

In March our Association found larger and more centrally located offices at 668 Transfer Rd. in St. Paul. Our 5th Regional Conference, held in April, drew close to 200 participants. Our 3rd Annual Youth & Adult Conference was held. The first issue of Voices & Choices a newsletter written by and for members of the Association with Down syndrome was published. Close to 700 folks attended our 3rd Annual Buddy Walk.

2001

Our 4th Annual Youth and Adult Conference was held in April. A one time Art Auction and our first Bowl-A-Thon were held in May. Our Buddy Walk attracted over 1200 participants. At years end we have sixteen Parent Groups, a newsletter circulation of 1100 and 824 member families.

2002

We had record attendance of 325 people at the 6th Regional Conference in April. The 4th Annual Youth and Adult conference was held in February. The ìEducator Resource Packetî was produced and exhibited. Our membership grew to 950 member families, representing over 3,000 individuals, and three new parents groups were formed. The 5th Annual Buddy walk had 1500 participants (over 2,000 registered), and we held the first Greater Minnesota Buddy Walk in Duluth, with 500 people attending.

2003

The 6th Annual Buddy Walk in Saint Paul drew 2100 participants. Duluth’s 2nd Walk had over 700 people in attendance. The Association obtained its own domain name, www.dsamn.org. We hired a fourth staff person to be our Administrative Assistant. At the end of 2003 we had 18 Parent Groups throughout the state and our membership was at 1054 member families.

2004

The biggest news for 2004 was the National Down Syndrome Congress holding their national conference in Minneapolis. It was held at the Hyatt-Regency on August 20 – 22. Our Association celebrated its 20th anniversary. Our Youth & Adult conference was held for the 7th year and had 53 self-advocates in attendance. We employed our first intern for the summer. Duluth had 1000 participants at their 3rd Annual Buddy Walk. In Saint Paul at the 7th Annual Walk there were over 2700 in attendance. At the end of 2004 there were 20 Parent Groups and our membership was at 1162 member families.

2005

In 2005 the Association held its 2nd annual Grandparent conference.  Youth & Adult Conference celebrated its 8th year with 49 self-advocates. The Association held its 8th annual St. Paul Buddy Walk, with 4,000 walkers and its 4th year of the Duluth Buddy Walk, with 1,200 walkers. Two new staff members were hired, a Program Coordinator and an Office Assistant. By the end of the year there were 22 parent groups. Membership continued to grow.

2006

The Association held three conferences in April of 2006; the 7th Regional Conference attended by 350, the 9th Youth & Adult Conference 51 attendees, and the 3rd Grandparent Conference. All three conferences were held at the Continuing Education and Conference Center at the University of Minnesota. An Art Gala was held the night before the Regional Conference raised over $5,000.  General meeting on DS and Autism was held in February. The Association hired an Event Coordinator. In March of 2006 the office was moved down the hall to a bigger space at 656 Transfer Rd. The Associations longtime Resource Coordinator retired. The 9th Annual St. Paul Buddy Walk was attended by 4,600 walkers and raised over $180,000.  The 5th Annual Duluth Buddy Walk attended by 1,100 walkers. The Association started a new program, the Adult Service Project, which wrapped up at the St. Paul Buddy Walk, collecting canned goods for local organizations. By the end of the year there were 23 parent groups.

2007

The Association held the 10th Youth & Adult conference with 53 attending and the 4th Grandparent conference. A new Office Assistant was hired as a permanent employee. The 1st Annual Joey Hebert Classic golf tournament was held in August, netting over $50,000. The 10th Annaul St. Paul Buddy Walk was attended by over 5,000 watlers and raised over $200,000. The 6th Annual Duluth Buddy Walk was attended by over 1,200 walkers.

2008

In March of 2008, the Association launched the pilot for its Health Care Management Program. In the spring, the Association held the 11th Youth & Adult Conference with 55 attending, the 5th Grandparent conference and teh 8th Regional Conference. The 2nd Annual Joey Hebert Classic golf tournament was held in August, grossed $75,000. The 11th Annual St. Paul Buddy Walk was attended by over 5,000 walkers. The 7th Annual Duluth Buddy Walk was attended by over 1,500 walkers. The Buddy Walks together raised over $250,000. In October the Association held its 2nd Education Conference. By the end of the year there were 24 parent groups.