Posts Tagged ‘Down syndrome’
“From My Heart” to GiGi’s Playhouse
Joan Blum has found another perfect location to volunteer!!! As a retired Anne Arundel County teacher with 24 years in the classroom and a volunteer in a Baltimore inner-city school, she wanted to continue her commitment to helping young people. When she heard about GiGi’s Playhouse in Annapolis (literally 3 miles from her home), she…
Read MoreJust Brew It!
By: Karin Gipple Chemistry 101? Cooking with yeast? No! It was an entertaining and educational afternoon learning the art of brewing beer which, contrary to popular belief, is a lot like chemistry and a lot like cooking. A group of over-21, adventurous Fantastic Friends got together for an afternoon to brew a Czech Pilsner. First,…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse: An Answered Prayer
By Lisa Custer To say that GiGi’s Playhouse Annapolis has made a difference in my daughter’s life is the quintessential understatement. I would call GiGi’s Playhouse a literal “Godsend.” In September of 2016, our family dynamic drastically changed. Suddenly I was a single parent. My daughter, Valerie was in her sixth season of living her…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse & Teen Volunteers = Friends in the Community
Every parent has probably observed a child losing touch with friends as different sports interests, clubs, activities or going to a different school take people in different directions. As children grow up, most make new friends in those new activities. Sometimes, however, it is not that easy. A “lost” friend is one who may not…
Read MoreAdvocacy 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 and federal government documents. Mom…
Read MoreThank 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 The Groove Spot Band Todd…
Read MoreHappy 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 with Down syndrome participated in…
Read MoreSinging 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 families. Led by ACCA’s Managing…
Read MoreFound–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 grade year, they talked with…
Read MoreCaring 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 need in the community. Caring…
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