A mother of three kids, Renee Kerr is a very busy lady. And, as a founder and member of the board of directors for Down Syndrome Network Oregon, she is constantly active, both physically and mentally.

As an active leader for DSNO, a faith-based support group that aids individuals with Down syndrome, Kerr and co-founder Paula Schiedler — both Lake Oswego residents — play an integral role in the lives of those who either have Down syndrome or are affected by the chromosomal abnormality.

While DSNO hosts events for parents, such as Coffee for Moms and Dad’s Dinners, the organization recognized the need for a new program: an exercise class for kids with Down syndrome. Noting that “disabilities are not going away,” Kerr added that, “Our mission (for the class) is to keep kids active and moving year round.”

With this mission of movement, DSNO launched its exercise class program four years ago. Its first classes began with the generous donation of space by LO Physical Therapy, located on Boones Ferry Road.

Classes were, and still are, led by Lake Oswego High School track and field coach Eric Lider. Lider, who retired from teaching in the Lake Oswego School District in 2005, is described by Kerr as someone who “understands the dynamics of why we do the cognitive connection to the exercises.”

During classes Lider is assisted in instruction by volunteers, the majority of whom are members of National Charity League.

Lider, who describes his role as a supervisor and planner of activities, summarized his goal with the class by saying, “Basically what I’m trying to do is provide an opportunity for these kids to be active in a real positive environment.”

Volunteers play a fundamental role in the exercise program’s success.

“If you find the right kids who want to help and the space, you can do anything,” Kerr said.

The importance of volunteers was echoed by Lider, who said, “I personally think that the importance of (the class) is the interaction between the high school kids and the students. That relationship to me goes both ways — the kids get great role models and the high school kids get a great appreciation for the skill level of the kids they’re working with.”

Kerr added to this idea, saying that the class is “almost as much for empowering the volunteers. It opens their eyes to other disabilities and empowers them to maybe go into special education or therapy.”

Lasting benefits of the class also affect its participants.

“It takes a longer time, but these kids have really improved their skill level and their social skills. Ideally this will transfer outside of the class,” Lider said.

When the class size became too large for LO Physical Therapy’s space, DSNO’s class offered up the use the “dance space” beneath Wizer’s grocery store in downtown Lake Oswego. Kerr said the donation of this space was the “keystone beginning” for the exercise class, starting a partnership between herself, Lider and Gene Wizer.

With the donation, Wizer, described by Kerr as a “perfect good Samaritan,” enabled the program to grow from its original four participants to 12. All ages are welcome in the class, with participants ranging from six to 17 years old.

One of the most important parts of the program for Kerr, whose 14-year-old son, Eli, is a participant in the classes, is to provide a safe place for the kids to work out .

DSNO’s exercise class, along with other programs, have fulfilled its mission to act as a support group that provides comfort and acceptance for Kerr. For her, the best part of the class is “seeing the fellowship that we all share between the kids, parents, coaches and volunteers.”

“It takes a village to raise a child. There’s our kids but there’s all of Lake Oswego behind them. Everybody is there not only for themselves,” she said.

The class, which meets weekly, runs from the end of DSNO’s soccer season through June. Classes will resume in September.

Along with its exercise class, DSNO offers a multitude of other activities and programs to keep kids active all year long. Most recently they held a horseback riding event at Happy Trails Riding Center in West Linn on July 15th, which offers special needs riding classes for riders of all ages.

Upcoming events include the annual DSNO Family Night at Oaks Amusement Park on Aug. 21, as well as the 10th annual DSNO Buddy Walk on Sept. 23, which begins at Millennium Park Plaza in Lake Oswego.

For more information about DSNO, the exercise class or other programs offered, visit dsnor.org.