5885 East Circle Drive, Suite 250, Cicero, New York 13039
315-288-PLAY (7529)• syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org
GiGi’s Playhouse is a Down syndrome awareness and educational center that provides resources, specialized teaching and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. What started as a local playhouse in a Chicago suburb now has 13 U.S. locations and one international location that recently opened in Mexico.
GiGi’s Playhouse – Syracuse opened its doors after ten months of planning and hard work on November 17, 2012. Our mission is to spread positive and accurate information about Down syndrome through education and to change outdated perceptions by helping the individuals we serve reach their highest potential. Our vision is to have a world that is empowered with knowledge, compassion and inspiration – what a better place for all of us!
All of our programs are free to our families and are therapeutic in nature. Each program is designed to work on specific skill development in several areas, including speech and language, social development and fine and gross motor skills.
Our newest awareness project “One Million Voices”, along with our “I have a voice” campaign, seeks to change outdated perceptions and replace those images with beautiful, thought-provoking, intelligent images.
We have a variety of programs that serve infants to adults. From our 0-5 playgroups, Daddy & Me Programs, Healthy After-School Snack Attack, Pet Therapy, Jam Session, Family Fun Nights, Club GiGi for those 18 and older to Yoga and Zumba, there’s something for everyone at our Playhouse. Our literacy program was specifically designed for children with Down syndrome and after our pilot program, all of our students showed marked improvement in their reading abilities.
Special Upcoming Events
May 17 (Friday) 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Club GiGi (18 and older)
Karaoke Night, hosted by Amy Cavallaro. Come and join in the fun!
May 18 (Saturday) 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Playhouse Pals – May Flowers Brought To You By April Showers
Recommended for ages 7-13. Come and plant some bulbs and get gardening tips on how to make them flourish! RSVPS are required for this event – email to syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org or sign up at the Playhouse.
May 19 (Sunday) 10 – 11 a.m.
Build-A-Bear in Carousel Mall
We’re beary excited to be doing this and hope you’ll join us! Build-A-Bear will provide complimentary bears for us to make and fluff. Put an extra heart in your bear for those who have had open heart surgery and come join the fun! Limited to 10 registrations (we will be doing this event again in June). Please note that siblings are welcome to attend, however, parents will be responsible for the cost of any purchases. RSVPS are required for this event – email to syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org or sign up at the Playhouse.
May 19 (Sunday) 11 a.m. – noon
Pet Therapy at Wegman’s Park, Griffin Field, Onondaga Lake Park
On your way home from Build-A-Bear, stop for our Pet Therapy program. Please note that during the summer, we will be holding Pet Therapy at Onondaga Lake Park so we can enjoy the weather! If it rains, we’ll be in the Playhouse.
May 21 (Tuesday) 7:00 p.m.
Inclusive Education: How will your child benefit?
Presented in cooperation with the Down Syndrome Association of Central New York
Thomas Bull, Director of Field Relations, Teaching & Leadership at the Syracuse University School of Education and a strong advocate for Inclusive Education will be at the Playhouse to talk about how inclusion has positive benefits for all children. Come and learn more about inclusive classrooms.
Mark Your Calendars:
- June 9 (Sunday): Family Picnic at Treasure Isle, minutes from Sylvan Beach. Private beach, weenie roast and hayride, compliments of our friends at Treasure Isle. RSVPS are required for this event – email to syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org or sign up at the Playhouse.
- June 21 (Friday): John E. Russo Memorial Golf Outing and Clambake. Proceeds from the Silent Auction held at the Clambake will benefit GiGi’s Playhouse. For more information, visit www.LeMoyneDolphins.com or email Syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org.
- June 28 (Friday) 6 – 8 p.m. Family Fiddling Fun Night and Ice Cream Social. Join us for fiddling, square dancing and an ice cream social to celebrate the end of the school year!
- July 20 (Saturday) 11 – 1. Fashion Show Fundraiser. Presented by Drivers Village and the Brickhouse Café, come and see our GiGi’s families as they model the latest fashions. We’ll also be the first to see the special GiGi outfit made especially for us by sweetlemonadedesigns.
- October 12 (Saturday). 5K Fundraiser
How you can help support our Syracuse Playhouse:
- Donate. On-line at our website (gigisplayhouse.org/Syracuse) or mail to GiGi’s Playhouse-Syracuse, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Suite 250, Cicero, NY 13039
- Volunteer. Opportunities available for all ages. Share your skills and make a huge difference in someone’s life! Email us at Syracuse@gigisplayhouse.org.
- Participate. Check our website or calendar for upcoming events.
- Like us on Facebook
- Educate. Tell your family, friends and colleagues about our Playhouse.
We’re Sophie and Sara and we love coming to the Playhouse because it’s fun!
I’m Addison and I love the Playhouse because I’m making life-long friends!
We’re Mackenzie, Mickey and Alex and we love volunteering at the Playhouse because it’s great to help out. The kids are complete sweethearts who melt our hearts every time we’re here – whether it’s helping the little ones learn to use their tricycles or making ice cream sundaes and dancing at Club GiGi’s Prom Night – it feels great to be here!
Kayla’s Korner - The message I want to teach others about Down syndrome is to think about what you’re going to say before you say it. Don’t make assumptions or judge people that are differently abled. In general, people make judgments or assumptions without realizing they are even doing it. Assumptions and judgments are often made based upon race, gender, age, and psychical attractiveness. Just a month ago I went out to dinner with my family and the hostess made an assumption about me – she offered to give me crayons to color. My family and I politely refused. Even though I am a young adult, the hostess made the assumption that I am more like a child than a young adult. It is important to remember that we are more alike than different!