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A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni
Hello GiGi's Change Makers!
Spring is here! And it’s a busy time for our Playhouses and for us as a family. After a VIP luncheon at GiGi's Simi Valley, GiGi and I are heading to Phoenix to speak at a Women’s Entrepreneur event, then we are ending our week in Galena, Illinois, to speak with the people on the frontlines of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
We’re speaking at the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) conference, and GiGi will be the only person with Down syndrome in the room, let alone a speaker.
As her mom, I can’t help but feel proud… and a little nervous. GiGi isn’t just telling her story; she’s showing doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers what life with Down syndrome really looks like, beyond a textbook or a clinical diagnosis. She’ll talk about her life, her value, and the inherent value of all individuals with Down syndrome.
This is the latest stop on GiGi’s Born to be Heard speaking tour, and it’s incredible to see how far she’s come. Last year, she debuted her message at the United Nations. Since then, she’s shared it in community spaces, corporate offices, and youth councils. And now, she’s stepping into the medical world!
But this is bigger than GiGi. It’s about every individual with Down syndrome whose voice deserves to be heard. Our Playhouses are working every day to amplify those voices, and it wouldn’t be possible without you.
Because of your support, more voices are being heard, more families are being reached, and more possibilities are being realized.
Please take a moment to read our April newsletter and see all the incredible things happening across our Playhouses this spring!
XOXO,
Nancy and GiGi
Built with the Down syndrome community: Adidas’ new running shoe
On World Down Syndrome Day, Adidas launched the Supernova Rise 3 Adaptive, a performance running shoe created in collaboration with the Down syndrome community.
Not built for them. Built with them.
Adidas partnered with Chris Nikic, the first individual with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman, and other adaptive athletes, using real experiences to shape the design. That matters because for many individuals with Down syndrome, movement can look a little different. Challenges like joint laxity, low muscle tone, and flat feet can make walking, running, or even standing more difficult and tiring.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, our free programs, like GiGiFIT, are designed to address these challenges and help individuals build strength and stability. Still, it can be hard to get the broader public to understand how movement differs for individuals with Down syndrome or how to adapt exercise to meet their needs.
That’s why it’s exciting to see major brands like Adidas listening and designing with the Down syndrome community in mind.
So, why exactly does footwear matter for individuals with Down syndrome? We took a closer look here.
Over $850,000 Raised for the GiGi’s 5K — Help us keep it going
Sending the text. Posting the link. Asking your network to give.
We get it. Fundraising can feel awkward. But when you reach out for the GiGi’s 5K — Dash for Down Syndrome, you’re not just asking for a donation; you’re asking someone to power a nationwide movement.
Happening at our Playhouses across the country, the GiGi’s 5K brings entire communities to run, walk, or roll and celebrate the Down syndrome community. But it also raises critical funds for our mission. As our largest peer-to-peer fundraiser, the money raised from the GiGi’s 5K — Dash for Down Syndrome directly fuels the over 400,000 hours of life-changing programs GiGi’s Playhouse provides a year.
We’ve already raised $810,000 toward our $2.5 million goal, but we need your help. Register for a 5K near you, start a team, and change lives with every email, text, and ask.
Small letters, big Achievements: Kenzie’s story
Before we learn to write full sentences, we learn to write what matters most: our name. It’s more than just a signature; it’s the way we show the world who we are.
Most of us learn how to write our name and then never think twice about it. But for individuals with Down syndrome, it isn’t always that simple. Recognizing letters and forming them on a page can take more time and practice, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
Kenzie, a participant at our Nashville Playhouse, is a perfect example. Though literacy has been a challenge for Kenzie, she’s been working hard in our one-on-one Literacy Tutoring program.
Week after week, Kenzie practiced with her tutor, breaking each letter down and building confidence. And then, one day, it clicked: Kenzie wrote her name on her own for the first time.
It may seem like a small moment, but for Kenzie, it was huge. Writing her name is about more than literacy; it’s about building independence and realizing that she can set hard goals and achieve them.
At GiGi’s, this is what our programs are all about. We don’t just teach academics; we help our participants achieve milestones that ripple across all areas of their lives.
We’re so proud of Kenzie and can’t wait to see all the goals she continues to accomplish!
From discovery to action: Safety skills for life
What does a world-class safety program look like? Last month, our team saw it firsthand in the UK, and now, we’re bringing it home to GiGi’s Playhouse. During the visit with Sunbelt Rentals UK, we observed students practicing real-world safety skills and building confidence.
It was inspiring, but now, the real work has begun.
Together with Sunbelt, we’re turning those insights into a first-of-its-kind Safety Program for individuals with Down syndrome, designed to build practical skills and confidence in real-world environments.
We’re embedding lessons across all GiGi’s programs and age groups, giving participants the knowledge and confidence to navigate everyday situations safely. We’re also integrating safety into GiGi University, where we’re focusing on personal safety, community awareness, and digital literacy to ensure participants are prepared for both in-person and online environments.
This year, focusing on curriculum development — customizing lesson plans and piloting six community-based safety events to test and refine the program.
In November, we’ll showcase the program at our National Leadership Conference with a live demonstration alongside the US and UK Sunbelt teams. This moment will highlight the strength of this international partnership and our shared commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities. Stay tuned for more updates!
It’s almost here — National Volunteer Appreciation Week!
While National Volunteer Appreciation Week (April 19-25) doesn’t officially start until the 19th, we’d like to take this moment to thank each and every one of our incredible volunteers.
As an organization whose programs are 99% volunteer-led, volunteers are the heart of everything we do. To our volunteers: thank you for everything. Your dedication changes lives.
As we enter National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we encourage everyone — families, donors, participants, employees — to take the time to thank a volunteer and make them feel appreciated!
Connection. Memories. Impact — Dan’s volunteer journey
Volunteering at GiGi’s isn’t just about giving back; it’s about building connections and creating memories. Dan, a volunteer with our Virtual Playhouse, knows this firsthand.
Since 2023, Dan’s been a dedicated volunteer, and today, he supports the GiGi’s Kitchen — Adult virtual program. As the lead volunteer, Dan helps participants learn about kitchen safety and nutrition by leading them in preparing recipes and meals.
For Dan, volunteering at GiGi’s is personal.
Dan’s younger sister was born with Down syndrome. Though she’s no longer here, her spirit and memory continue to make a lasting impact on Dan. He honors that memory by volunteering at GiGi’s.
One of Dan’s favorite aspects of volunteering is the relationships he’s built. Watching participants gain confidence and hearing their stories brings him joy and makes every session memorable.
Want to form connections like Dan? Learn how you can volunteer with GiGi’s here.
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