Adults
Ages 18 and Beyond: Nurturing personal leadership, building rewarding career pathways, navigating community housing, and fostering lifelong social connections.
Your Life, Your Voice, Your Future
Adulthood is a time of endless possibilities, self-discovery, and community contribution. At Green River Area Down Syndrome Association, we believe that every adult with Down syndrome has the right to lead a self-determined life, making their own decisions about where they live, where they work, how they spend their free time, and how they advocate for themselves. Our role is to provide the training, community support, and local networks to make those personal goals a reality.
Across our 10 Western Kentucky counties, we work closely with self-advocates, family members, local employers, and clinical professionals. Together, we are breaking down barriers, expanding vocational choices, and ensuring that our adult members are seen, valued, and respected as equal citizens, friends, and coworkers.
Events & More!
Looking for fun, engaging activities for your school-aged child? Join our weekly programming, including Drums Alive, Dance, Cooking & Nutrition, Art Club, and Book Club. There's something for every interest while building friendships, confidence, and new skills!
Three Pathways for Adult Autonomy
Vocational & Career Development
Every adult deserves the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. We connect job-seeking self-advocates with inclusive Western Kentucky employers. Our career services include localized job-readiness preparation, application coaching, and collaborative partnerships to ensure long-term, workplace success.
Adult Social Clubs & Outings
A rich social life is vital for health and happiness. Green River Area Down Syndrome Association hosts monthly adult social clubs, dinner outings, holiday celebrations, and recreational bowling leagues across our counties. These spaces give self-advocates the perfect setting to build deep friendships, share experiences, and enjoy their independence.
Independent Living Resources
Whether transitioning to a supported home, learning public transit routes, or managing daily budgets, we help self-advocates and their families navigate independent living. We provide current information on Kentucky waiver systems (such as the Michelle P. and SCL waivers), community housing choices, and daily living skills.
Building Inclusive Workplaces
A diverse community is a strong community. Green River Area Down Syndrome Association is always looking to partner with local businesses in Owensboro, Henderson, and surrounding rural communities who are excited to welcome dedicated, hard-working adults with Down syndrome to their teams. We provide employers with custom workplace inclusion guides, staff integration presentations, and ongoing job coaching checks to build collaborative environments where both business and employee thrive together.
Take the Next Step Toward Independence
Whether you are a self-advocate looking to join our next leadership training, a parent researching post-secondary waiver programs, or a local business ready to hire inclusively, Green River Area Down Syndrome Association is ready to connect you to local resources.