Advocacy and Activism Squelch “R” Word from Government Language
By: Doni Dondero If your child has Down Syndrome, you have heard of Rosa’s Law, but did you know Rosa is one of GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis participants? Rosa was the inspirations for the law that carries her name and stamped out the term “mental retardation” and “retarded” in Maryland state...
The Power of “THE”
Emily is a local teacher and served as a volunteer tutor at GiGi's Playhouse Annapolis. She worked one-on-one with Tim during the Fall Literacy 10-week session. Tim has completed high school and currently works part time stocking shelves in a grocery store which he really enjoys. At the beginning of...
Thank you to our 2019 Gala Sponsors!
Thank you to our generous 2019 Sponsors for partnering with us for a special night to raise necessary funds to change lives! PLATINUM GOLD George and Margaret Limehouse Silver BRONZE IN KIND SPONSORS Breakthrough Beverage Byzantium Favored Photography Katcef Brothers, Inc. Liquor Mart & Deli Ms. Bakery...
Happy Hearts Celebrate GiGi’s First Anniversary
On February 2nd, the Playhouse was packed with the happy hearts in our brand new friends, returning participants, family members, volunteers and supporters; all celebrating the first anniversary of GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis’ Grand Opening. We are thankful for the warm welcome from the greater-Annapolis community. In its first year, individuals...
Singing Together… “They’re really saying, I love you!”
What a wonderful afternoon of children “Singing Together”. The All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis (ACCA), a non-profit organization, consisting of children in second to seventh grade from the greater-Annapolis area, reached out to GiGi’s Playhouse to share an afternoon activity of songs together, culminating in a "Winter Mini-Tour" performance for their...
Filling the GAP
By Doni Dondero Internships can be hard to come by for adults these days, but the newly opened GAP store in Annapolis has generously opened its doors to GiGi’s participants. The introduction to retail started when the GAP’s corporate office in New York contacted the Playhouse about hosting a social...
Found–Inclusive Catholic Education & Great Friends at GiGi’s Playhouse
By Doni Dondero Raymond Tetschner had always been fully included in public school in Arizona, so when the family started looking at middle school, full inclusion was their goal. But this time, there was an additional challenge–they wanted that education in a Catholic school. As the family approached Raymond’s 6th...
Hollywood Comes to Annapolis
Hannah finds her Walk of Fame Star. By: Ginger Houston-Ludlam The stars in Annapolis have never shined so brightly as they did on January 4th when GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis hosted their “Welcome to Hollywood” dance. Over 25 participants and 24 volunteers danced and toasted the night...
Caring Canines-Literacy Companions Lend a Helping Paw!
To celebrate the conclusion of our first Literacy Tutoring Session, we invited Caring Canine Pet Therapy Dogs to GiGi's Playhouse. Caring Canines is a pet therapy program created by Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat to provide certified pet therapy teams who offer unconditional love and a peaceful presence to those in...
GiGi’s Playhouse Youth Board-Successful Dance Marathon 2018!
By Melissa Wong I serve on the GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis Youth Board. The Youth Board hosted the first ever Dance Dance Marathon for the Annapolis location on November 17th. All high-school students from the Anne Arundel County area were invited to participate. We danced...
Giving Tuesday: A Time to Share Generously
By: Julia Persinger "Get creative and think of all of the ways that you too can help in a very small or very large way. It will come back to you a hundredfold." After a considerable period of procrastination, I penned this on an eight-day silent Catholic Retreat at the...
Calling Eastern Shore Families: GiGi’s Playhouse, Exactly What We Hoped For!
Jeremiah's first visit to GiGi's Playhouse. 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...