For more than 40 years, Diabetes Youth Services (DYS) has been a guiding force for children living with type 1 diabetes and the families who support them. Founded in 1984, the nonprofit organization serves Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan with one clear purpose: to connect families, educate communities and ensure every child living with diabetes feels supported, confident and never alone.

At the center of this work is Executive Director Kathy Lathrop, a former business and finance professional whose journey into nonprofit leadership began with her involvement in the Junior League of Toledo — the same community organization that supported DYS in its early years. After staying home to raise her five children, Kathy became increasingly active as a volunteer in local schools and nonprofits. When DYS sought help on the financial side, she stepped in, quickly fell in love with the mission and grew into the role she holds today.

“What keeps me here is simple,” Kathy shares. “No family should go through this journey alone. We want every child to feel confident and every parent to feel supported.”

Today, DYS continues to make a meaningful impact through free school training, youth programs, leadership opportunities and transformative summer camps designed to empower kids—not just to manage diabetes, but to thrive.

Strengthening Schools Through Education and Training

Managing type 1 diabetes in a school environment can be overwhelming. Classrooms, cafeterias, sports and transportation all present unique challenges that require staff to be informed and prepared. DYS recognizes that meaningful support must extend beyond the home, which is why the organization provides free, customized diabetes training across 38 counties in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.

These sessions—led by Certified Nurse Educators, endocrinology nurses and pediatric nurses, many of whom live with diabetes themselves—cover essential topics like:

  • Recognizing high and low blood sugar
  • Carb counting
  • Using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors
  • Emergency treatment
  • Understanding 504 Plans and Diabetes Medical Management Plans

So far this year, DYS has visited over 80 schools and educated nearly 1,000 staff members.

But Kathy emphasizes that their support goes beyond educators and school nurses.
“We’ve recently expanded into classroom presentations,” she explains. “Kids want to understand what diabetes is and how to support their classmates. These visits help reduce stigma and build empathy.”

One recent visit made a profound impact. After a presentation, the mother of a young girl with type 1 diabetes called DYS in tears. “She said her daughter finally felt seen and supported,” Kathy recalls. “That’s what this work is all about.”

DYS also launched a Coaches Training Session, offered before each sports season, to help athletic directors, coaches and activity leaders understand how physical activity affects blood sugar and how to respond during emergencies. From marching band to rec leagues, every youth activity can be safer and more inclusive with proper diabetes education.

Connecting Families Through Community Programs

Diabetes affects the entire family—not just the child who is diagnosed. Parents often seek reassurance, siblings need understanding, and caregivers benefit from shared experiences. DYS meets these needs with year-round family programs that bring families together for support, education and fun.

Events include:

  • Kalahari Waterpark Adventures
  • Toledo Mud Hens outings
  • Pool parties
  • Holiday celebrations

“These programs give families a place to connect outside a medical environment,” Kathy says. “It’s where friendships form and where parents realize they don’t have to do this alone.”

The impact of these connections is powerful. Kathy recalls a father navigating the challenges of raising a teenage daughter with type 1 diabetes. Overwhelmed and unsure of how to support her growing independence, he reached out to DYS.
“We connected him with another dad whose kids are now grown,” she shares. “They met for dinner, talked for hours and are now lifelong friends. That’s the heart of what we do—bringing people together.”

Families can stay informed about upcoming events through the SugarBuzz biweekly newsletter, which includes program announcements, camp details and helpful diabetes resources.

Hot Shots Camps: A Life-Changing Experience for Kids

The cornerstone of DYS’s programming is its Hot Shots Camps, which offer children a chance to learn, grow and connect in a supportive environment. Camps are available for several age groups:

  • Little Shots: ages 5–10
  • Middle Shots: ages 10–13
  • Big Shots: ages 13–17

Campers enjoy all the classic activities—canoeing, crafts, archery, swimming, talent shows and outdoor adventures. But what makes Hot Shots truly unique is its integrated approach to diabetes education. Kids learn carb counting, how to monitor blood sugar patterns and how to use diabetes technology in real-world situations.

“Camp is often the first place kids feel understood,” Kathy says. “They meet friends who get it, see role models living full lives with diabetes and discover a new sense of independence.”

To ensure accessibility, camp registration is just $10, and scholarships are available thanks to donor support and the monthly contributions of Hot Shots Heroes.

Behind the scenes, a highly trained team including nurse practitioners, dieticians, diabetes educators and counselors (most of whom also live with diabetes) ensures a safe, enriching and empowering environment.

And with four camp options each summer, it remains Kathy’s favorite time of year.
“Camp changes lives,” she says. “It’s the highlight for so many families. And for us.”

How the Community Can Support DYS

The mission of DYS is fueled by generous donors, corporate partners, volunteers and community members who believe every child deserves compassionate care and community support.

Ways to Give

Right now, financial support is the organization’s biggest need. “The more dollars we raise, the more kids we can serve,” Kathy says. “Scholarships, programs and trainings all depend on community support.”

A Mission That Matters

At its core, Diabetes Youth Services exists to ensure no child feels isolated on their diabetes journey. Through free school trainings, community-building programs and life-changing summer camps, DYS provides the tools, knowledge and emotional support families need.

Kathy shares a message she offers often to families facing a new diagnosis:
“Take the pressure off yourselves to be perfect, because type 1 diabetes is never perfect. You can do everything the same way two days in a row and see completely different results, and that’s normal. Give yourself grace, focus on progress over perfection and remember this: as long as a child with type 1 has a family that loves and supports them, they’re going to be okay.”

To learn more, explore upcoming programs or register for camp, visit dys4kids.org.

 

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