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A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni
Hello GiGi's Change Makers!
Invitations to send. Calls to make. Details to finalize.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, the to-do list never ends, and sometimes it’s enough to make my head spin. But lately, I’ve seen someone else step up, take initiative, and move into a leadership role — and that someone is...
GiGi!
As our National Gala approaches at the end of the month, GiGi isn’t just co-hosting the event; she’s stepping into the community, hand-delivering invitations, making personal calls to donors, and building real connections.
Watching her take that initiative reminds me how much her voice matters and how capable she is of shaping her own world!
As a mom, there’s nothing more special than seeing your child step into their own purpose. Moments like these remind me of why GiGi’s Playhouse exists: to ensure individuals with Down syndrome are not just included but also empowered to shape the world around them.
And GiGi isn’t alone. Across our Playhouses, individuals with Down syndrome are stepping up: leading programs, building relationships, and showing their communities what’s possible.
I hope you’ll take a moment to read our February newsletter and see these stories unfolding across our network. Thank you for believing in this mission.
XOXO,
Nancy and GiGi
From GiGi’s to the Olympic Games
The Winter Olympics are here, and a GiGi’s Playhouse mom is racing for gold!
Elana Meyers Taylor, a five-time Olympic medalist and the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history, is competing in her fifth Olympic Games at the 2026 Winter Olympics. With three silver and two bronze medals already to her name, she’ll take on both the monobob and two-woman bobsled events as she looks to add to her tally.
But beyond the Olympic track, Elana is also mom to 5-year-old Nico, who has Down syndrome. Elana, her husband, and Nico began their GiGi’s journey at our Atlanta Playhouse, where Nico participated in programs like LMNOP and Music Makers. Their family’s dedication to GiGi’s and to spreading awareness for people with Down syndrome was recognized in 2022 when they received the SKate Award at the Atlanta Playhouse Gala. After moving out of Atlanta, they now attend GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento.
From GiGi’s Playhouse to the Olympic track, Elana is chasing gold! Let’s make sure to cheer her on as she races at the 2026 Winter Olympics!
Built on belief: Honoring Jennifer Gage and the Phoenix Playhouse
GiGi’s Playhouse is built to last. But it’s also built on something else: belief.
Jennifer Gage, the founder of our Phoenix Playhouse, who opened its doors in February 2015, has exemplified that belief every step of the way. Earlier this month, Nancy Gianni presented Jennifer with the Legacy Award at the Phoenix Playhouse’s Gala, recognizing her dedication, vision, and incredible impact.
It was a fitting night to celebrate Jennifer and the Phoenix Playhouse, which raised over $600,000 at the gala, showcasing the impact they’ve had across Arizona.
The growth of our Phoenix Playhouse is remarkable. It’s a far cry from when they first opened with just $35,000 and weren’t sure how everything would come together. But Jennifer’s belief never wavered.
“I knew once people saw what we were doing, the money would come,” Jennifer said.
And it did. Since then, the Phoenix Playhouse has grown tremendously through two key expansions. In 2018, they moved into an adjacent space that allowed GiGi University and GiGi’s Kitchen to grow. Three years later, in 2021, they expanded again into the next-door space, creating a dedicated area for GiGiFIT. Today, the Playhouse is creating more opportunities than ever for youth and adults with Down syndrome throughout the community.
We’re so happy we were able to honor Jennifer’s legacy and the incredible impact the Phoenix Playhouse continues to make!
Read more about Jennifer’s story and the growth of the Phoenix Playhouse on our blog.
Spellcheck can’t build confidence. Literacy can.
Even in a world of autocorrect and AI, understanding how language works still matters.
Kate, a participant at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit, is proving that. During a recent one-on-one Literacy Tutoring session, a game of Boggle turned into a meaningful moment when Kate independently spelled the word “sock,” and then read it aloud with pride.
This moment is about more than Kate becoming a “good” speller. It’s about truly understanding language — how sounds connect to letters, how letters create meaning, and how that understanding supports reading and communication.
Sure, spellcheck can correct a word, but it can’t build the understanding to use language and effectively communicate in everyday life.
Through Kate’s hard work in literacy tutoring, she’s strengthening that foundation. Beyond her recent spelling success, Kate is now reading short stories independently and persevering when she encounters words she doesn’t recognize. Kate’s tutor, Caley, has loved watching her determination each week.
We’re so proud of Kate and her dedication to learning, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to grow as a confident communicator at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit!
Finding their place, making a difference
Finding a place to belong isn’t always easy to find... but for a group of high school students, they’ve found it at GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley.
Every week, these students come from a nearby high school as part of their pre-transition program. Each week, they volunteer at the Fox Valley Playhouse, helping clean and maintain the Playhouse. As a result, they’re known as the Clean Team, and what makes them even more special is that every member has an autism diagnosis. The Clean Team hasn’t just been welcomed into the Fox Valley Playhouse; they’ve found a place where they belong.
Some students wait all week for their time at the Playhouse, where they can contribute, feel part of the community, and have fun.
The Clean Team is a perfect example of how volunteering at GiGi’s benefits everyone. Our participants gain support and guidance, and our volunteers also find a space where they truly belong.
Colorado Springs, here we come!
Signing a lease is nerve-wracking — there’s so much to figure out, details to finalize, and a million moving parts to manage. But for families in Colorado Springs, it’s a dream come true: our local startup team has officially secured the space that will become the Colorado Springs Playhouse!
This is about more than just a brick-and-mortar location. Soon, individuals with Down syndrome and their families will have a dedicated space in Colorado Springs where they can grow, connect, and truly belong.
The Colorado Springs team is aiming for a fall 2026 opening, and while there’s still work to be done, this milestone marks an important first step in bringing GiGi’s life-changing programs to the community.
Every new Playhouse starts as a dream, and Colorado Springs is now one step closer to making that dream a reality! Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming Colorado Springs Playhouse.
Your best learning session yet: GiGi’s Educator Symposium
We get it. Educational events can feel long, exhausting, and not always helpful. But the GiGi’s Educator Symposium is different. Don’t take our word for it:
"I have attended MANY training sessions. This was BY FAR one of the absolute BEST. I gained so many totally useful techniques and suggestions. I am very happy to have attended. THANK YOU, GiGi's Playhouse, for putting this together."
Past Educator Symposium Attendee
Join us Saturday, March 7, for our FREE online symposium and leave with actionable strategies you can use first thing Monday. Teachers, therapists, parents, grandparents — everyone benefits. Plus, we offer free continuing education credits.
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