Happiness and Down syndrome
Many people have the misperception that individuals with Down syndrome are always happy. I have a few thoughts about this one. First, if you think this, then you've probably never interacted with a hormonal teenager with Down syndrome. Jade, like most people, experiences a broad range of emotions, including anger,...
Changing the World is in the Palm of Your Hand
We’re in the second week of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and activities and celebrations are taking place coast to coast. Here at GiGi’s Playhouse, we’re asking everyone for one simple action this month: Take the “I Accept You” pledge! Will you join us? Everyone who takes the pledge becomes a part of #GenerationG, an army of change-makers set on making...
GiGi sings the National Anthem at the Chicago White Sox game
Website Volunteer Support Hello to all my amazing friends! After years of practice, therapy, rejections, and cancellations, GiGi finally sang the national anthem at the Chicago White Sox game this week! She wowed the enthusiastic crowd, showing just how much people with Down syndrome...
GiGi’s Playhouse: Reaching Around The Globe
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and all in-person programming had to be discontinued, we faced the challenge of how to fulfill our promise of a lifetime commitment to our families. So we thought big, and we developed an array of on-demand and live virtual programming, meeting families right where they...
Fearless Young Woman with Down Syndrome Plans to Wow White Sox Fans By Singing The National Anthem
Overcoming tough obstacles, GiGi Gianni inspires a network of playhouses that help others learn and achieve. Now she’s strutting her stuff for baseball fans. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2021 (Hoffman Estates, IL) – Prepare to be inspired when teen, GiGi Gianni, takes the microphone at Guaranteed Rate Park on Wednesday, September...
Helping Others Learn Acceptance in their Community!
Website Volunteer. Support Learning acceptance in 24 hours! This week, we learned of a ride company's incredibly offensive and ignorant slogan. After multiple failed requests to remove the slogan, our Chief Belief Officer, Nancy Gianni, took to social media and you all showed...
Making dreams come true thanks to friends like you!!!
Hello All! All of our Playhouses are opening and serving families both virtually and in person! With a spike in regression, social anxiety and fear in our population, and their families, it was important to offer safe, in person programming but still continue with our virtual learning for those who...
June Breaking News!
This past week, Nancy and THE GiGi had the chance to sit down with Kate Snow from NBC Nightly News to talk about our recent acceptance initiative. "For the past 17 years we have been giving individuals with Down syndrome all the tools they need to be successful in the world, but the...
June 2021 Newsletter
Please help us reach our goal of 1,000,000 people taking the pledge for global acceptance! Take the pledge and live it every day! AcceptanceChallenge.org On June 5th, every GiGi's Playhouse across the country will be coming together to celebrate The GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge! Be a part of making history as...
May 2021 Newsletter
To our GiGi's Playhouse Family, With multiple cases of our kids being abused, disrespected and attacked last week, it made me reflect back on why we started GiGi’s, and ask "are we making a difference?" That is when I realized we have spent 17 years providing free programming...
March 2021 Newsletter
GiGi’s Playhouse is launching the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge as part of our World Down Syndrome Day celebration! Beginning 3/21, we’re calling on people worldwide to MOVE for acceptance. Join one million of our closest friends as we work together to make the world a more accepting place for individuals of all abilities! When...
Sustainability against all odds
Whenever I read that quote, I get a flutter of excitement in my stomach and a sick feeling at that same time! Absence of fear?? It was the fear of watching 17 years of groundbreaking work crumble that propelled me to action throughout 2020 and catapulted us into 2021! When...