family support
One of the goals of Club 21 is to help families thrive by providing the encouragement and resources that they need. We recognize that no one person can know everything that there is to know about raising a child with Down syndrome, so we try to help families connect with each other and share resources. This networking and resource sharing is accomplished through various methods and programs.
Open Play
All are welcome!
Come and enjoy good company and celebrate our wonderful children, together. Open Play Time is just that – an open time in a lovely setting to just be yourself. There is no pressure; it is just a time when you can let your little ones play while you chat with other moms and dads.
- Come and meet others on the same journey!
- Be encouraged
- Make connections and network
- Get Up-to-date resource information
- Enjoy great toys and lots of fun
- Lots of arms to hold cute children – sleeping or awake.
- Expectant parents come and be supported in a safe place.
- All are welcome – just as you are!
When: Every Friday Morning from 9:30 – 11:30
Where: Club 21 (on the campus of Pasadena Covenant Church)
539 North Lake Ave. PasadenaAge Range: Babies 0-3 years
Contact: Olivia Hinojosa at olivia@clubtwentyone.org
Pre-K Open Play
All are welcome!
Open Play for the babies, this group was created to allow parents space to connect with one another while giving their children the opportunity to play together. The Pre-K Open Play group meets in the Club 21 First Steps room. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to build friendships in a casual fun filled environment. We will have some volunteers helping us so that we will be able to have a few more minutes to " connect" with one another.
When: Third Friday of the month from 3:00pm-4:30pm - Watch the calendar for dates!
Where: Club 21 (on the campus of Pasadena Covenant Church)
Age Range: Children 3-6 years old
Contact: Audrey Gray at audrey_a_gray@yahoo.com
Sibshops
Club 21 understands that siblings of individuals with Down syndrome are most likely to have the longest lasting relationship with their brother or sister. Sibshops allow siblings of individuals with Down syndrome to know they are not alone in their experience as they share their issues with others who truly understand. Sibshops facilitators are trained to engage participants in fun filled games, to meet new friends, and elicit the unique joys and concerns that siblings share through discussion activities. Sibshops are not therapy, although their effect may be therapeutic for some children. Sibshops are best described as opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with Down syndrome to obtain peer support and education within a recreational context.
Sibshops are held monthly for siblings ages 6 to 8 on the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 to 11:30.
Our goal is to also provide Sibshops for the following age groups:
Siblings ages 9 to 12
Siblings ages 13 to 16
Groups will commence for these age groups as we have a demonstrated need and trained facilitators.
More information can be found here!
When: Every second Saturday of the month from 10:00 – 11:30
Where: Club 21 (on the campus of Pasadena Covenant Church)
Age Range: 6 -8 years
Contact: Olivia Hinojosa at olivia@clubtwentyone.org
Peer Social Events
Club 21 knows that it can often be hard to help children with Down syndrome get to know other kids with Down syndrome who are their age. Peer social events gather together all of our Club 21 kids for evenings full of laughter and fun. With events ranging from dances and karaoke nights to group trips in the community for bowling and ice cream socials, there's something for everyone! Generally Club 21 tries to have at least one peer social event each quarter. For some activities age restrictions will apply. Please see our calendar of events for all upcoming occasions.
Family Support Liaisons
Families can also schedule individual consultations with one of our Family Support Liaisons. These Liaisons are trained to help parents network with other families and find the community resources that they need for their child. To see resources available online through Club 21 please visit our Resource section.
Family Support Liaisons can also be of assistance to parents as they approach the Individual Education Program (IEP) process in their respective schools. Club 21 values empowering families to have the skills, knowledge and resources needed to be effective advocates for their family member with Down syndrome, so Family Support Liaisons will not represent families in special education proceedings including Individual Education Plans (IEP's) meeting, mediation due process hearings, or government complaints. However, Family Support Liaisons will be available to help equip families with information on their special education rights and responsibilities so that they may have the tools and access to resources to allow them to effectively advocate for their own students.
The Liaisons will be developing in the future monthly educational family support network meetings to provide on-going learning and support opportunities. Networking with other parents is a wonderful resource to allow families not only to problem-solve their own IEP matters, but to support other families that may have similar experiences.
To learn more about these programs, please contact the Director of Family Support, at olivia@clubtwentyone.org or find out how you can be involved, please contact us at info@clubtwentyone.org You may also call our office at 626-844-1821.
programs
