Volunteer Spotlight: Jill Topf
Tell us a little about yourself! My name is Jill Hickey Topf and I began volunteering at GiGi's Tinley Park in June, 2025. My passion for education and creative storytelling has always guided my career path. For over 20 years I worked in Religious Education and volunteered as a catechist...
A Wish For Our Families Before Labor Day
Labor Day is Monday, September 1st. Some of our families are planning barbecues, beach trips, and a little extra rest. Some will spend the long weekend at home, enjoying family and familiar surroundings. Before the long weekend begins, we would like to acknowledge all of the hard working families -...
Sharing Family Resources: NDSS
When a child is diagnosed with Down syndrome, families often find themselves on a journey filled with both challenges and incredible joys. One of the most powerful tools we can give one another is reliable information - practical guidance, helpful resources, and the reassurance that no one walks this path...
Happy Back-To-School Month!
Why is August back-to-school month? This plan was actually created for farming families, back when we were an agricultural society, so children could help out at home. After planting and harvesting seasons ended, they could attend school. As city and suburban living grew, this wasn't exactly necessary, but the majority...
Program Spotlight: Preschool Prep
*Cue the Pomp and Circumstance* Some of our young participants just completed the 4-week Preschool Prep summer session and earned a certificate for their awesome, hard work! Each session begins with a welcome song. It's delightful to see each participant light up when it's their turn! Then they learn the...
Participant Spotlight: Quinn McNellis
We love celebrating our participants at GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park! This month, we introduce you to one of our adults, Quinn McNellis! My name is Quinn McNellis. I'm 21 years old. I attend Homewood-Flossmoor's VAST program and really enjoy it. I play baseball, basketball, and soccer. In my spare time...
Summer Speech Is In Session!
Meet Vicki Morris, our leader for the The Amina Grace Speech and Language Program this summer! Vicki is the clinical supervisor for two graduate students providing speech and language services for our participants. Therapy is provided in areas such as augmentative and alternative communication, fluency, improving receptive and expressive language...
Summer, Baseball, & GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park
Play Ball!GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park was chosen to be Charity of the Game for the Sat, June 28th matchup between the Windy City Thunderbolts and the Joliet Slammers at Ozinga Field in Crestwood, IL! Families and friends purchased tickets for the game, and $3 of each $11 ticket came back...
Program Spotlight: Achievers
Achievers Summer Session Begins! The GiGi’s Achievers program empowers adults with Down syndrome with purposeful activities to ensure continued learning and fulfillment of life. This program teaches and promotes communication, self-awareness, independence, health and wellness through community engagement. Each lesson will provide participants with "hands on” learning experiences in a...
Volunteer/Program Spotlight: Welcome New LMNOP Leader, Emma!
Language Music N' Our Peeps (LMNOP) is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication while using music and language-based activities. This program is recommended for ages pre-natal to 36 months. Emma Robustelli Tell us a...
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month!
According to InnoCaption, a company that launched the first captioned phone service for the deaf and hard of hearing community, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month is "more than an awareness campaign—it is a movement to foster inclusion, empathy, and connection. Observed each May, it underscores the essential role that speech, language, and...
Program Best of All
DESTINATION DISCOVERY: OPEN PLAY Wednesday mornings at GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park are THE BEST! Our Destination Discovery: Open Play program was special this week - it was our friend Izzy's last day before summer, as she is going to start preschool! Such a big milestone; we are SUPER excited for...