• Passport Funding Preparation Bursary Program
• Social Programs
• Cooking Class
• Weekend Social Club
• Buddy Choir
• Therapy Bursaries
• Camp Bursary
• Pizza Pals
• The Office
• Adult Programming Bursary Program

Speech, Music, Physio & Occupational Therapy Bursary Programs

The Waterloo Regional Down Syndrome Society is pleased to offer financial support for speech, music, physio and occupational therapy to assist children in our membership.

In order to qualify:
- you must have been a member of WRDSS for a minimum of one calendar year
- your child with Down syndrome must be age 2 or older by September 1st of the current year
- you must be willing to volunteer 10-15 hours to help WRDSS plan and execute our fundraising and social events over the next year

Bursaries may be awarded depending on the success of our fundraising efforts, the number of bursary applications we receive, your child’s access to these therapies through government services, employee benefits, and your family income.

The bursaries may be used between September and August each year. Any unused funds are returned to the program at that time.

When arranging to use bursary money please keep in mind that therapy must be provided by registered therapist. If you need help finding a therapist please contact us for assistance at info@wrdss.ca.

Application deadline each year is August 1st for the bursary year running September to September each year.  Information will be reviewed by the Bursary Program Committee and will remain confidential. 

If you would like to apply for a bursary for speech and/or music therapy, please click here for the form.

If you have questions, please contact our bursary committee by clicking here

Transitional Bursary Program

If you are a member of WRDSS who is currently making the transition from high school to your adult life, then you may apply for a bursary to be used towards paying for services to assist with developing your life in the community after high school.

In order to qualify you:
- must be a member of WRDSS in good standing for a minimum of one calendar year
- are not attached to any other Community Participation Program
- are STILL waiting for Passport funding
- must be willing to volunteer 10-15 hours to help WRDSS plan and execute our fundraising and social events over the next year

If you would like to apply for the Transitional Bursary, please click here for the form.

For more information, please contact our bursary committee by clicking here

Social Programs

Each year, WRDSS hosts social programs for our members that encourage families to meet and get to know each other in a casual and fun environment.  We also find that these events allow families to network with each other and provide support and ideas for raising children with Down syndrome that they may not be able to access elsewhere. 

Each year, we host the following social events:

> Bowling Party

> Summer Picnic

> Christmas Party

Cooking Class

WRDSS offers a cooking class for our young adults with Down syndrome which is taught by a Community Nutrition Worker.

Monthly classes run from September - June.

For more information, please contact our organizer by clicking here

Weekend Social Club

WRDSS helps to sponsor the Weekend Social Club with KWACL that meets one weekend a month on both Friday and Saturday for adults from ages 18 and up.  The group plans various activities each month that include events onsite or out in the community. 

For more information, please contact us by clicking here

Buddy Choir  (A Choir of young people with Down syndrome and their buddies)

Buddy Choir is happily singing and dancing our way into our fourth year. We are all having an absolute blast rehearsing and performing from September to June!

We are an inclusive company who invite anyone to join. The only requirement is that you love to perform. We present our production numbers to the public to show that everyone can shine and when we all shine together it is magic! Our hope is life will imitate art where all are included regardless of skin, intellect, talents or years!

Please consider joining us! Because there is no age limit it could be a great weekly family activity…

We rehearse on Mondays from 6:30 until 8.

If you would like to join the Buddy Choir, or would like more information, please click here

Pizza Pals

Help out WRDSS with preparing their newsletter mailings while enjoying time with your friends!

 WRDSS Pizza Pals has two age groups, the younger group is for individuals with Down syndrome ages 14 - 24 (Coordinator: Susan Lott); the older group is for individuals with Down syndrome ages 25 and up (Coordinator: Susan Powell). Pizza Pals meets September, November, January, March and May, alternating age groups each session. The May Pizza Pals is a joint effort with both the younger and older groups together for an end of year party!

 There are a variety of tasks like:

• Putting inserts in the newsletter

• Placing the newsletter in an envelope

• Sealing the envelope

• Stamping the WRDSS return address on the envelope

• Placing a stamp on the envelope for mailing

• Tidying up at the end!

After we are done all the work, we have time to socialize and enjoy some pizza. Parents/caregivers are welcome to stay and help also.

Eligible WRDSS Members will be invited by email or phone by their respective age group coordinator.

If you have questions, please contact info@wrdss.ca

If you have any questions regarding our programs, please send an email by clicking here