I want everyone to see that our son is an individual just like everyone else. He has his own features, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and traits that make him unique. Down syndrome is only a fraction of who he is.
Featured Events
Dec
15
Speech and Music Social Group Ages 14 + Virtual (Zoom)
Dec 15, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction. Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
15
The Office & Teens Meet-up
Dec 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
|
Christmas Dinner Together Harvest Moon Secret Santa ($20 spending limit) |
Dec
14
Speech and Music Social Group Ages 14 +
Dec 14, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction. Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
14
Speech and Social Group 9-19 Yrs
Dec 14, 2026, 6:15 PM – Dec 9, 2026, 7:15 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction.Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
10
Cooking Classes
Dec 10, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
|
🍳 WWDSS Cooking Classes Discover the joy of cooking this fall with our hands‑on, small‑group culinary program designed for youth and adults who love food, creativity, and learning new skills in the kitchen. 👩🍳 Meet Our Chef Instructor: Lisa Eckhardt Lisa Eckhardt brings both professional training and heartfelt passion to our cooking program. She graduated in 2013 from Top Toques Institute of Culinary Excellence as a classically trained chef in the advanced program and later completed her Personal Chef diploma. Lisa has worked in restaurant kitchens while building her own personal‑chef business, which she continues to grow today. She also works part‑time as a sous chef at Relish Cooking Studio, teaching adult cooking classes and leading kids’ culinary camps throughout the summer. Long before her formal training, Lisa was known for hosting gatherings of all sizes in her home — feeding her love of food, entertaining, and bringing people together. She is excited to teach our students and share her joy of cooking with them. 📅 Day/Time: Thursdays, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM November 5 - December 10 ⏳ Program Length: 6 weeks 📍 Location: St. Matthew’s Church — Community Hall 54 Benton Street, Kitchener, ON 👥 Age Group: 14+ years old 🔢 Class Size: Maximum 8 students per class 🍽️ What to Expect Each Week Students will work alongside Lisa to prepare a full meal from scratch, including a main entrée and dessert. Once the meal is ready, the group will sit down together to enjoy what they’ve created, followed by clean‑up and kitchen wrap‑up. Support workers will be present each week to assist as needed and ensure every participant feels confident and successful. ✨ Skills Students Will Build
🔵 Ready to Register? Spaces are limited — secure your spot today! |
Dec
08
Speech and Music Social Group Ages 14 + Virtual (Zoom)
Dec 8, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction. Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
07
Speech and Music Social Group Ages 14 +
Dec 7, 2026, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction. Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
07
Speech and Social Group 9-19 Yrs
Dec 7, 2026, 6:15 PM – Dec 2, 2026, 7:15 PM
|
Next Session Begins November 16 WWDSS is excited to welcome families back for our Speech & Music Social Groups in Kitchener‑Waterloo. These engaging sessions support language development, social communication, and creative expression through music‑based interaction.Facilitated by Exceptional Community Partners Heather McLennan & the team at McLennan Speech and Language Services Emily Carruthers & the team at KiJengle: Inclusive Music Education & Music Therapy Our facilitators bring warmth, expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusive programming. 📅 Program Details Start Date:Monday, November 16, 2026 Location:St. Matthews Centre, 54 Benton St., Kitchener Cost: $200 for the 5‑week session for WWDSS Members 🕒 Group Times
Session Dates: Mondays: Nov 16, 23, 30, Dec 7, 14 Tuesdays: Nov 17, 24, Dec 1, 8, 15 👥 Group Size Small group format: maximum 8 participants, minimum 4 required to run. ✨ Secure Your Spot These groups fill quickly — we encourage early registration to ensure availability. |
Dec
03
Cooking Classes
Dec 3, 2026, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
|
🍳 WWDSS Cooking Classes Discover the joy of cooking this fall with our hands‑on, small‑group culinary program designed for youth and adults who love food, creativity, and learning new skills in the kitchen. 👩🍳 Meet Our Chef Instructor: Lisa Eckhardt Lisa Eckhardt brings both professional training and heartfelt passion to our cooking program. She graduated in 2013 from Top Toques Institute of Culinary Excellence as a classically trained chef in the advanced program and later completed her Personal Chef diploma. Lisa has worked in restaurant kitchens while building her own personal‑chef business, which she continues to grow today. She also works part‑time as a sous chef at Relish Cooking Studio, teaching adult cooking classes and leading kids’ culinary camps throughout the summer. Long before her formal training, Lisa was known for hosting gatherings of all sizes in her home — feeding her love of food, entertaining, and bringing people together. She is excited to teach our students and share her joy of cooking with them. 📅 Day/Time: Thursdays, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM November 5 - December 10 ⏳ Program Length: 6 weeks 📍 Location: St. Matthew’s Church — Community Hall 54 Benton Street, Kitchener, ON 👥 Age Group: 14+ years old 🔢 Class Size: Maximum 8 students per class 🍽️ What to Expect Each Week Students will work alongside Lisa to prepare a full meal from scratch, including a main entrée and dessert. Once the meal is ready, the group will sit down together to enjoy what they’ve created, followed by clean‑up and kitchen wrap‑up. Support workers will be present each week to assist as needed and ensure every participant feels confident and successful. ✨ Skills Students Will Build
🔵 Ready to Register? Spaces are limited — secure your spot today! |