Correspondent photo / Maurita Hoffman Down Syndrome Association of the Valley Director Michele Jones displays books from the resource center at the DASV office in Boardman.

BOARDMAN — Michele Jones began her career as a registered pharmacist.

She is a 1986 graduate of Boardman High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from The Ohio State University in 1991. She worked in children’s hospitals as well as at the Veterans Administration center in Cincinnati.

In 1999, Jones and her husband, Dr. Kenneth Jones, moved back to the area and settled in Howland.

They have three children, Ryan, who is 27 and attending the Toledo Medical School, and Justin, 25, who is a third-year medical student. Their daughter, Lauren, is 22.

Lauren graduated from Howland High School in 2023. She attends the TOPS (Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings) at Youngstown State University. Jones described the TOPS program as an “inclusive initiative that helps young adults with intellectual disabilities experience college life.”

The birth of Lauren and her diagnosis of Down Syndrome motivated Jones, her husband and another couple to found the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley (DSAV) in 2007.

“When Lauren was born, there were no local associations or agencies available for help and information,” Jones said.

She added that initially, her family and other parents of children with Down Syndrome met in libraries.

“People came together to discuss ways to help their children,” Jones said. “Parents would collaborate with medical providers to get word out. We set up informational booths at conventions.”

She said the goal was to get families together who were dealing with a child who had Down Syndrome.

Her belief in the importance of families getting together, and her quest to get more help and information to more people, is what led her to become an advocate for that in Washington, D.C.

In 2007, DSAV was founded in Boardman at 945 Boardman-Canfield Road. When an adjacent office space became available, the offerings of the DSAV were expanded to include a resource library, a kitchen to teach life skills, a play area and a meeting room where parents and new members can visit with other parents for support and information.

Jones said she and her family are blessed to be able to help.

“It’s a learn as you go, day-by-day experience,” she said.

She credited the word-of-mouth stories of parents for helping other parents find the DSAV. She also noted that information on Down Syndrome is available at hospitals and doctors’ offices, which helps spread the word about the DSAV.

She also credits nurses with helping to spread the word about Down Syndrome assistance.

The association is affiliated with Akron’s Children’s Mahoning Valley.

Jones sees the DSAV offering many advantages — education, support, resources, increased awareness and opportunities.

She said DSAV is not funded with state or federal money. She praised Debbie Williams, the director of operations and programming, for helping to make so many of the projects work.

Jones noted that the association operates through the donations of individuals and fundraisers. The 19th annual Buddy Walk, the main fundraiser for the organization, is scheduled for Sept. 20.

Jones said, “seeing some of our members pass on,” is the hardest part of her job. She also explained that “it is difficult to see families struggle with their family members who develop early onset Alzheimer’s.”

People with Down Syndrome are at risk for early onset Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other medical conditions.

“I have been so blessed, so fulfilled to have been given the opportunity to make a difference. It makes my heart happy. I have the best job; it is so rewarding. We meet so many families,” Jones said.

She credited the teamwork involved with the DSAV for its success.

“It makes my heart happy to see DSAV bring people together,” Jones said. “To truly see the joy that you can bring to a family and share their experiences is heartwarming.”

She said helping to provide a place where older families can meet to help younger ones navigate the needs of their children has been very satisfying to her.