{"id":24062,"date":"2021-07-26T15:44:31","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T19:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/?page_id=24062"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:54:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T18:54:32","slug":"gigi-u","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/gigi-u\/","title":{"rendered":"GiGi U"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<h1>Career Development Programs<\/h1>\n\t<h3>We offer our Signature\u202fCareer Training and Continuing Education Programs two times per year:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<strong>Fall 2025 &#8211; GiGi Prep Program<\/strong><br \/>\nSeptember 9th &#8211; November 18th<br \/>\nTuesdays 11:00-3:30<br \/>\nThursdays 12:00-4:30<br \/>\nAccepting Applications\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<strong>Spring 2026 &#8211; GiGi U Program<\/strong><br \/>\nJanuary &#8211; April\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nApplications will open mid-November\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.tfaforms.net\/4719690?playhouseId=a0q50000005qQaLAAU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tApply Here\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/files\/2024\/06\/Career-Development-Pic.jpg\" alt=\"Career-Development-Pic\" itemprop=\"image\" height=\"900\" width=\"1200\" title=\"Career-Development-Pic\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading='lazy' \/>\n\t<p>For more information regarding the GiGi&#8217;s Career Training and Continuing Education programs, please contact the Playhouse at\u00a0<a href=\"tel:+14105177474\">(410) 517-7474<\/a> or\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:annapolis@gigisplayhouse.org\">annapolis@gigisplayhouse.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t<div class=\"fl-builder-content fl-builder-content-129833 fl-builder-template fl-builder-row-template fl-builder-global-templates-locked\" data-post-id=\"129833\"><div class=\"fl-row fl-row-fixed-width fl-row-bg-none fl-node-609206ae32088 fl-row-default-height fl-row-align-center\" data-node=\"609206ae32088\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-row-content-wrap\">\n\t\t<div class=\"uabb-row-separator uabb-top-row-separator\" >\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"fl-row-content fl-row-fixed-width fl-node-content\">\n\t\t\n<div class=\"fl-col-group fl-node-609206ae3207c\" data-node=\"609206ae3207c\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"fl-col fl-node-609206ae32080 fl-col-bg-color\" data-node=\"609206ae32080\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-col-content fl-node-content\"><div class=\"fl-module fl-module-slideshow fl-node-609206ae32081\" data-node=\"609206ae32081\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Slideshow\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-module-content fl-node-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"fl-slideshow-container\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"fl-col-group fl-node-609206ae3207e\" data-node=\"609206ae3207e\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"fl-col fl-node-609206ae32083 fl-col-bg-color\" data-node=\"609206ae32083\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-col-content fl-node-content\"><div class=\"fl-module fl-module-rich-text fl-node-609206ae32084\" data-node=\"609206ae32084\">\n\t<div class=\"fl-module-content fl-node-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"fl-rich-text\">\n\t<p>The GiGi\u2019s Career Development programs are progressive learning programs that are designed to motivate adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential in the world. We achieve this through innovative, educational, goal-development, and small group skills instruction, health and wellness, career skills, empowerment, community engagement, and exceptional work opportunities. GiGi\u2019s Playhouse offers a three-tiered career development program that prepares adults with Down syndrome to gain meaningful employment\/volunteerism in their respective communities. Recommended for adults with Down syndrome age 18 and up.<\/p>\n<p>GiGi\u2019s Career Development programs have positive impacts on adults with Down syndrome and on the community at large. Every interaction and friendly conversation reminds the community that stereotypes and discrimination toward people with Down syndrome must change. In doing so, more employers will seriously consider hiring ready and willing candidates with Down syndrome allowing communities, companies, and people to grow stronger together. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/generationg-community-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">I Accept You<\/a> initiative is to help communities gain a stronger understanding that promotes an environment of inclusion and acceptance for all.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Goals<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #488ccb;\"><b>Increase self-confidence:<\/b><\/span>The GiGi U\u202flearning program is an environment where each lesson promotes communication skills, self-advocacy, and personal accountability\u202fthrough goal-oriented activities.\u202f These activities help to significantly improve meaningful family, friend, and community interactions as well as further promoting independence.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span style=\"color: #488ccb;\">Increase career skill knowledge:<\/span> <\/b>GiGi U teaches students appropriate and proactive workplace behaviors by applying best practices in areas of customer service and team building. Students participate in community projects to apply their skills by volunteering to better prepare for work opportunities.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span style=\"color: #488ccb;\">Increase personal wellness:<\/span>\u00a0<\/b>\u202fThrough physical fitness, nutrition, and safety awareness training, GiGi U students gain a stronger sense of the importance of remaining active and making choices that promote and sustain a lifelong healthy lifestyle.<\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #488ccb;\"><b>Increased \u202fquality of life:\u00a0<\/b><\/span>GiGi U provides a hands-on, multi-sensory learning environment to help students live a well-rounded, healthy, confident, and fully enriching life.\u202f Depending less on those around them and by promoting their voice, students improved their presence inside and out of the GiGi\u2019s community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>GiGi Prep Programs<\/h3>\n<p>Our adult education programs are progressive learning program for adults, compromised of modular programs that meet multiple times each week for 6-10 weeks in length that encompass Confident U, Healthy U, and Whole U.\u202f<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #f58220;\"><b>GiGi's Achievers <\/b><b>\u2013\u202f<\/b><\/span>The GiGi\u2019s 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\u201d learning experiences in a naturally occurring environment. A participant must be 18+ to attend this program.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #f58220;\"><b>GiGi <\/b><b>Prep<\/b><b>\u202f\u202f<\/b>\u2013<\/span> \u202fThe GiGi Prep program is step one in our progressive learning program for adults with Down syndrome. Meeting multiple times each week for 10 weeks the curriculum focuses on Confident U, Healthy U, and Whole U.\u202fOur GiGi Prep program has an emphasis on building communication skills, money management, customer service skills, team building, and wellness. This program is an application-based program with high expectations to motivate adults with Down syndrome.\u202fGiGi Prep is designed for individuals aspiring to enroll in our GiGi University program and continue on the career development path to participate in our GiGi Professional program. However, a participant may need repetition of this course before moving on. Recommended for ages 18+.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/GiGiULogo_v1JG-300px1.png\" alt=\"GiGi University Logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"116\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3>GiGi University<span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:300,&quot;335559739&quot;:150,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #f58220;\"><b>GiGi University (GiGi <\/b><b>U)<\/b>\u2013 \u202f<\/span>A comprehensive and progressive learning program tailored specifically for adults with Down syndrome comprised of a 15-week instructional program. The ideal candidate will be highly goal-oriented and motivated to achieve a new level of personal success. GiGi U is application and interview-based. Participants will be asked to meet with the program leader prior to class and will be provided with expectations for commitment to the program. Upon successful completion of the GiGi U program and with their new preparedness and drive to succeed, graduates then move on to our GiGi Professional program as interns. The skills gained at GiGi U will resonate with graduates throughout their careers.\u202f Pre-req: Application and Interview<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #f58220;\"><b>GiGi Professional <\/b><b>\u2013\u202f<\/b><\/span>Whether it\u2019s a retail environment, a design studio, a production space, or an office, the GiGi Professional internship program builds on the skills learned in GiGi U with practical applications and the achievement of certifications. During the 13-week internship, each intern will purposefully progress through certifications learning and demonstrating strengths and interests in transferable job skills, and building their resume for placement in a job or volunteer position in the community. Pre-req: GiGi U.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"uabb-js-breakpoint\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Career Development Programs We offer our Signature\u202fCareer Training and Continuing Education Programs two times per year: Fall 2025 &#8211; GiGi Prep Program September 9th &#8211; November 18th Tuesdays 11:00-3:30 Thursdays 12:00-4:30 Accepting Applications Spring 2026 &#8211; GiGi U Program January &#8211; April Applications will open mid-November &nbsp; Apply Here For more information regarding the GiGi&#8217;s&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24062","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24062"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24062\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/annapolis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}