Posts by Jennifer Rackley

At just 7 years old, Elle is already making a big impact in her community and at GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta! On June 26, Elle set up Elle’s Sweet Shop at the corner near her school, welcoming friends, neighbors, and passersby with cookies, Rice Krispie treats, lemonade, water, bracelets, and lots of smiles. With music playing…

At GiGi’s Playhouse, community partnerships mean everything and when those partnerships involve enthusiastic young people who want to make a difference, the impact is even sweeter! This summer, we were thrilled to welcome a group of college interns from PDI Technologies to GiGi’s Kitchen Adult for a special service day. The visit was coordinated by…

Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025 adult programs! We are proud to offer two impactful and purposeful opportunities—GiGi’s Achievers and GiGi Prep—designed to empower our adults with Down syndrome to reach their highest potential through continued learning, independence, and personal growth. GiGi’s Achievers Thursdays at the Playhouse The GiGi’s Achievers program offers a…

When Freya Thomas first walked through the doors of GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta in March 2024, she was simply looking for a place to fulfill her volunteer hours as a member of the Milton High School Honor Society. What she found instead was something much more meaningful — a vibrant, welcoming community that stole her heart.…

At just 22 years old, Elisha McKenzie is already living proof of what it means to follow your dreams and inspire others along the way. A vibrant and driven young woman with Down syndrome, Elisha has built a powerful resume of advocacy, leadership, and joy — all fueled by her passion for Zumba and a…

We were thrilled to welcome a fantastic group of volunteers from Global Payments to GiGi’s Playhouse for their annual service day! Their team brought incredible energy, heart, and hands-on support that made a big impact on our adult programs. The day was filled with connection, fun, and lots of smiles. Volunteers jumped right into our…

At GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta, we have the honor of working alongside some truly remarkable young people—but few shine as brightly as Nora Michaelis, founder of our teen mentoring program, bEquals. Nora, a 17-year-old junior from Milton, Georgia, is not only changing lives—she’s changing the way the world views Down syndrome. What started as her Girl…

Sometimes visitors walk into the Playhouse with a handshake and leave with a hug. Last month we had the pleasure meeting of one of those visitors. We had the honor of welcoming writer, director, and producer Kelly Lintz for a special visit. Kelly toured our Playhouse, learned about our mission, and engaged in meaningful discussions…

This past Saturday, our community came together in an incredible show of support for the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge—a physical and social MOVEment for acceptance! With a goal of uniting 1 million global supporters for the Down syndrome community, we declared loud and clear: “We can and will accept you as you are!” We are thrilled…