Calling Eastern Shore Families: GiGi’s Playhouse, Exactly What We Hoped For!
This is a shout out to all families, especially those on the Eastern Shore, who have loved ones of any age with Down syndrome and can benefit from the wonderful social and academic opportunities at GiGi’s Playhouse in Annapolis. My name is Karen and I am the blessed grandmother of Jeremiah, a fabulous young man…
Read MoreGeneration G: A Very Young 86-Year-Old Builds GiGi’s Little Library
We have a very special volunteer in Richard Reichert! He is a talented 86-year-young retired Industrial Arts teacher. Richard accepted the challenge after talking to Site Coordinator Judy Co about a Playhouse dream of having a “GiGi’s Playhouse Little Library.” Never mind that it was only Richard’s second time to the Playhouse, that he didn’t…
Read MoreLiving Generation G! Meet Thomas
Meet Thomas P., age 8 years old, GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis’ youngest donor, and one who is living out loud, Generation G! His Mom shared that early this summer, Thomas received a new piggy bank that included sections to put money in to “spend,” “save” and “share.” Over the summer, Thomas helped doing small jobs around…
Read MoreSharon’s Determination Inspires Others
Sharon is one of our amazing adult participants. She is 38 years old and regularly attends the Fantastic Friends program and was a volunteer for our LMNOP Tuesday morning group. Sharon also was a self-advocate speaker at our inaugural Brew HAHA event. We are so excited for her, after volunteering in the school system as…
Read MoreThe Power of High Expectations: Literacy One-on-One Tutoring
I had the opportunity to volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse in Annapolis as a literacy tutor this summer and it was a remarkable experience. I had previously volunteered for GiGi’s Playhouse in Utah, and have such fond memories of watching the children relish their successes. So, after moving to Maryland for school, I gravitated towards the…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse: “A Place To Be Accepted for Exactly Who You Are”
Just call me Jon’s Sister… By Lisha Barnette I have been known by many titles in my life, but there are few that give me the overwhelming pride I feel in being a sister to my brother Jon. Jon was born in 1981 in a small town in Kentucky. My parents who were in their…
Read MoreHealing by Sharing the Love
June 28th was a memorable day in Annapolis. Little did we know what was happening less than a mile away when the following note was written by one of our GiGi’s Playhouse volunteers. In retrospect, the situations couldn’t be more opposite. To lose the lives of the five employees of the Capital Gazette was a…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis-“The Resource We Needed!”
A Parent’s Perspective: By Amanda Stowell GiGi’s Playhouse has been one of the best resources for my family. My son Joshua who is 8 years old, and doesn’t have Down Syndrome, is always asking to go there because he makes friends every time we attend a program. Even just the mention of GiGi’s…
Read MoreUn Poema de la Madre (A Mother’s Poem) By: Griss
Tener un hijo especial es una constante lucha de nervios y de corre y corre de entrar y salir del hospital Es amar sin condiciones Es luchar siempre por sus derechos Es buscar información Es reír llorando Es pelear duramente por ellos Es conocer personas maravillosas como tú Gracias Dios por verme elegido ser madre…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: “Who Is In Your Framily?”
We are so very grateful for Amanda Finnis, a volunteer who goes above and beyond for GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis, and of course having Amanda, Sven, Ainsley, and Taryn in the Playhouse is the “Best of All”! Prior to our Grand Opening, Amanda helped extensively securing in-kind & service donations through her community, including our excellent…
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