FREE PROGRAMS
60 LOCATIONS
GLOBAL ACCEPTANCE
A Word from the Chief Belief Officer - Nancy Gianni
Hello GiGi’s Change Makers!
This Sunday, after we returned home from the opening of our 60th GiGi’s location in Simi Valley, CA, I was riding a high. Then I received a heartbreaking text from GiGi, it read...
“At bowling alley some boys call me a retard”.
My heart sank. She had spent the last week inspiring people at our Lancaster location and then at our Simi Valley Grand Opening, only to come home and be bullied while she was on a date with her boyfriend.
Then, not 20 minutes later, I got a message from one of our families saying they received a voicemail asking her to sign a petition to “euthanize all kids with Down syndrome”.
WHAT? How is this happening literally 24 hours after we open our 60th location?
Our mission for acceptance is HARD and these attacks are personal. Sometimes, I feel like our mission is too big for me and I just want to give up, but then I realize that GiGi does not get to give up. She does not get to take a break from her diagnosis; no one does. People who are different don’t get to shed that “differentness” at the end of the day. They struggle constantly for acceptance and that is why I will never stop fighting for them — WE should never stop fighting for them!
Please take a minute to read about the incredible people (and Playhouses) we’re all fighting for! Learn about the incredible Grand Opening in Simi Valley, how our career programs are giving our adults purpose, how GiGi’s Playhouse – Phoenix is stepping up to reach underserved communities, an inspiring story of overcoming self-doubt at GiGi’s Playhouse – Charlotte, and a heartwarming volunteer story at our Madison Playhouse!
These stories remind us that we can't let the haters win. GiGi’s Playhouse has spent the last 21 years getting the world ready for our kids and it is time to get the world ready for them, and we need your help. WE cannot do this alone.
We need you to BE THE VOICE for our kids. Join our #GenerationG movement. If you know corporations, celebrities, or athletes who can partner with us and help amplify this movement, please email me directly at nancyandgigi@gigisplayhouse.org. We need EVERYONE to come together and create a world where no one gets bullied and people are treated with dignity and respect!
XOXO
Nancy and GiGi
Congrats to number 60 – GiGi's Simi Valley is ready to serve its community!
Ribbon cutting, guests of honor, excited crowds. At GiGi’s Playhouse, we know how to throw an EPIC Grand Opening. Our 60th Playhouse opening, GiGi’s Playhouse - Simi Valley did just that this past weekend, officially opening its doors and celebrating the joyous occasion with the entire community!
Nancy and GiGi, along with enthusiastic community members, families, local representatives, and media, were there to help usher our FREE programs into the community and welcome Simi Valley, CA into the GiGi’s family!
Our Grand Openings signify the beginning of something: countless lives in Simi Valley and beyond will be improved because of our Playhouse. But this didn’t happen by accident. In Simi Valley, two mothers of children with Down syndrome came together in 2020 and dreamed of opening a GiGi’s. Over four long years, they raised awareness, rallied the community, and eventually created a grassroots movement to secure funding and open GiGi’s Playhouse - Simi Valley!
More than Progress — GiGi’s Provides Purpose
Setbacks are a part of life. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a parent, we’re all constantly trying to improve in our roles, but sometimes, we fall into ruts.
While setbacks are universal, for individuals with Down syndrome, life’s ruts can turn into something more serious. Individuals with Down syndrome can begin to lose previously acquired developmental skills in language, daily living, motor abilities, or social interaction. This phenomenon is referred to as Down syndrome regression disorder (DSRD), a serious disorder that occurs in adolescents and adults with Down syndrome.
At the Global Research & Medical Care Round Table at NDSC’s Annual Conference last month, DSRD was a major topic of conversation, and for good reason. DSRD happens rapidly and with little warning; it’s scary. While it’s not always clear what causes DSRD, it’s believed there’s an emotional component. If an individual doesn’t feel fulfilled in their everyday life, they’re at greater risk of experiencing DSRD.
That’s where GiGi’s comes in. Our programs, particularly our career development programs, help fulfill our adult participants. Our GiGi Prep, GiGi U, and GiGi Professional programs assist our adults in developing career skills, improving social skills, and staying motivated!
Simply put, our career development programs empower our adults to overcome life’s setbacks!
Special thanks to two of our grantors, Bosch Community Fund and Union Pacific Foundation, for helping fund our career development career programs and allowing us to make a difference!
GiGi’s Playhouse - Phoenix steps up to serve EVERYONE!
Identifying a problem is one thing, but solving a problem requires action.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we’re big on action. Our Phoenix Playhouse is a perfect example. Open since 2015, GiGi’s Playhouse – Phoenix serves over 1,000 families, provides 13,000 hours of FREE programs a year, and changes lives across the city.
As our Phoenix Playhouse has continued to serve their community, they’ve noticed that there’s a still a dire need for our free programs, particularly in underserved communities that are a long drive from Phoenix. Many in these communities don’t even know that GiGi’s exists.
Once Phoenix identified this problem, they did what we do at GiGi’s — they stepped up.
GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix is rolling out its ‘GiGi’s on the Go’ program this September. Beginning in collaboration with local school districts, ‘GiGi’s on the Go’ will bring our programs directly to families in need. Utilizing a van, trained volunteer teams, and licensed therapists, ‘GiGi’s on the Go’ will go into underserved communities, raise awareness, and expand our reach!
‘GiGi’s on the Go’ will work in conjunction with our Virtual Playhouse. As families in Arizona become aware of GiGi’s Playhouse, they can also enroll in our programming virtually!
Boogying Beyond Barriers
We’ve all been there. At some point or another, we’ve all wanted to try something new: a sport, a class, maybe even an instrument, but trying something new is scary. It’s easy to tell yourself you can’t do something you’ve never done before.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, our participants are just as susceptible to self-doubt. Sure, they sometimes have physical obstacles they must overcome, but our programs are all about instilling confidence so they can achieve their dreams!
GiGi’s Playhouse – Charlotte is proof of this. One of their participants, Lucas, was reluctant to join a dance class because he has hip issues. With the help of an amazing volunteer, Lucas sat in on the class and participated, practicing arm movements and fully engaging with the rest of the class!
Lucas didn’t think he could do it, but our Charlotte Playhouse helped him overcome his self-doubt!
Build Deeper Bonds. Volunteer at GiGi’s.
Balancing a frisbee. Waddling with a ball. Eating a cookie without touching it.
If these activities sound silly, that’s because they are. To celebrate the 2024 Olympics, GiGi’s Playhouse – Madison recently held their ‘Silly Olympics’ as part of their Fantastic Friends program. Madison’s incredible volunteer Mary planned the event.
But what started as a silly day turned into something much more significant. Mary presented our participants with medals previously collected from the Special Olympics games. These Special Olympics medals weren’t just any medals — they belonged to Mary’s brother Rick, who passed away last year.
It was a truly beautiful moment. By sharing Rick’s medals earned from his athletic pursuits, Mary gave our participants a piece of Rick’s legacy and helped keep his spirit alive. As Mary placed the medals on our participants, it was clear how touched and proud they were.
It’s amazing volunteers like Mary who create a loving environment!
At GiGi’s Playhouse, volunteering isn’t a one-sided relationship; you’re sharing who you are and making a lasting impression on our participants. Learn how you can volunteer here.
Partnership Spotlight
There’s still time! Hyrox, a national partner and sponsor of GiGi’s Playhouse, is still running their #Run8Give8 campaign! #Run8Give8 is a social media campaign and fun fitness challenge. The challenge is simple: run or walk an 8k (5 miles), donate $8, and tag 8 people on social media! The money raised from #Run8Give8 will go to GiGi’s Playhouse!
Will you help us? Join #Run8Give8 here!
And check out the video below to see mega-fitness influencers (and #GenerationG Ambassadors!) @Vallitfit and @anyundik promote #Run8Give8. They’re helping us making it go viral… will you join them?
#GenerationG Magazine
Our next edition of #GenerationG Magazine is coming out in October! Don’t forget to check out the first issue of our #GenerationG magazine. It’s full of inspiring stories of acceptance and empowerment. You can read the magazine here.
Last chance to place an ad order; check this PDF for all the details.
Check out the latest from our blog
I am so sorry that happened to Gigi. I broke down crying that she had to deal with that despicable human. My daughter is 9mo the old with Down syndrome and it breaks my heart to even think about someone calling her that…or anyone with special needs.
You are an inspiration to the Down syndrome community…thank you
Do you think you might open a location in San Antonio Texas. I was a volunteer in Houston and have moved to San Antonio. Would love to be a part of Gigi’s again.
Colleen Carpenter
713-201-2241
My daughter Traci will be 39 years old on September 23rd. She has been through many fun, wonderful and educational programs at the Scottsdale, AZ location. We absolutely love Gigi’s! The volunteers are the most caring, patient and loving people I have ever known. Traci went through Gigi Prep and Gigi University. She has trained and is looking so forward to starting to work some at the Gigi Cafe in September of this 2024 year. She will start Literacy with Kris Burger again as well. We love Kris, she is one of the very best teachers Traci has ever had, she loves her time with Kris.
This is a reminder of the ignorance that is out there in society. People with Downs provide more to society than they are given credit for. It is terrible that she had to exposed and had to deal with that. Gigi’s in Fort Wayne is a great place and Holli does a great job of promoting the positive of Downs.