February 25th marks the one-year anniversary of GiGi’s Playhouse New York City!
We are the only community center specifically designed to celebrate and support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and friends – including you!
Through social awareness and individual skill building, GiGi’s Playhouse is committed to rallying over one million voices who will friend and defend our loved ones with Down syndrome – and empower these individuals to tell the world, “I have a voice!”
GiGi’s Playhouse is a community and education center. All our programs are FREE and designed to empower individuals with Down syndrome to be their own best advocates. We build friendships, community, and understanding through: inclusive classes in ballet, movement, music, open play, soccer and gentle yoga. We offer group workshops in occupational and physical therapy.
We offer countless seminars and community information forums to support parents of children with special needs.
We encourage siblings to understand how truly unique their role is as life-long buddies to their special sibling.
We throw parties! Birthday, Holiday, Family Night, Sunday Brunch – our own Amber Collins, Miss New York 2011, hosts Pink Parties at the Playhouse, encouraging our little girls to learn about how truly beautiful they are by dressing up and doing a fashion show for their friends.
We offer one-on-one and group literacy tutoring sessions.
Did I mention that all of our programs are FREE?
We are looking for a larger, permanent home to meet our growing needs – With the generosity of dedicated volunteers and generous families, we look forward to launching our Teen Life Skills Center and our Young Adult Career Center, and make GiGi’s Playhouse NYC the coolest place in the Big Apple for individuals with Down syndrome and the people who love them.
If you have Down syndrome, love someone who does, feel a kinship for this community or simply want to become one of the million voices speaking up for individuals with Down syndrome –GiGi’s Playhouse is your second home!
Interested in volunteering, getting more information, or sponsorships? Email nyc@gigisplayhouse.org.
GiGi’s Playhouse location:
106 W. 117th St., NYC, NY 10026
GiGi’s Playhouse NYC mailing address:
PO Box 925, NYC, NY 10026, 646-801-7529
Upcoming Events
May 9th (Thursday 6:30 pm) Turning 5 Parent Panel
This parent panel will examine the joys and complexities of turning 5. Entering formal education is an especially challenging time for parents of a child with Down syndrome. A panel comprised of parents with a wide range of experiences in different educational settings will share their stories of making it through this process and the results of their efforts.
May 11th (Saturday 3 pm) Bella’s Social Club
Bella’s Social Club is for kids 9-13. An opportunity to make friends within the Down syndrome community and build social skills. This is for kids with Down syndrome ONLY – even the grown-ups will be directed to a parent mix and mingle while the kids explore theater games.
May 11th (Saturday 4:30 pm) Soccer Trail
Hayden Wilson, a certified American Youth Soccer Organization coach with over five years of experience as a soccer coach. This Soccer Trial is your chance to meet the coach and soccer volunteers, discuss the program goals and objectives and see if this program is right for your child.
We are looking to create 2 on-going classes for different age groups, Monday and Saturday early evening.
May 18th (Saturday, 3 pm) Amber Collins’ Pink Party
A Pink Party is the brain child of 2011 Miss New York, Amber Collins – a Special Educator and Playhouse supporter – she has designed a party to encourage girls to enjoy being girly! Hair! Nails, feather boas on pink runways! Girls ONLY – all ages.
Amber and her team of beauty pageant winners from the Miss Universe Pageant know how to make girls feel pretty, oh so pretty!
June 9th (Sunday 11:30 am) Caregiver Relaxation/Meditation Group
Katie Brisley-Logue, certified Brain Education Trainer teaches a monthly adults only relaxation group designed to help caregivers identify chronic stresses. Take time for some self-caring and recharge your batteries in this fun, experiential workshop utilizing the principles of Brain Education.
Bring beach towel or yoga mat.
Please call ahead to reserve childcare 646-801-7529
Support our playhouse!
If you are looking for a way to support our playhouse and all our free programs please see the following list, keeping in mind that we make all our literacy materials at the playhouse.
- Single Lens Reflex Camera – any decent camera to photograph, film Playhouse events
- Printer cartridges for HP Color Laser Jet CM1017 MFP
- Healthy Snacks
- Cleaning Supplies
- iPod, portable speakers
- Gift cards to staples
- Donate on line! Become a Sustaining Member! Join our Founders Circle!
From our Blog…
GiGi’s on The Laura Ingraham Show!
Laura Ingraham, radio host of “The Laura Ingraham Show”, has been airing her entertaining commentary on news, culture, and politics since 2001. GiGi’s Playhouse NYC has recently been featured on a pre-taped interview for one of Laura’s upcoming radio shows. Stay tuned to find out when the episode will air! Visit her site to learn [...]
Read MoreNecessarily resourceful and imaginative
Without naming any names, I was bragging about the remarkable humanity of one of the Playhouse’s most generous contributors – a mother with a child with Down syndrome. I was listing a few of her many contributions to another very generous philanthropist who is making a huge contribution to the world in the form of [...]
Read MoreA Rainy Day in Harlem
GiGi’s Playhouse – and Harlem – have continued to be an eye-opening experience for this grandfather. On this past Wednesday I drove into the city from Connecticut to view two properties as potential new homes for the Playhouse. I was soon to discover the treasure of my day lay not in real estate but in [...]
Read More