What does it mean to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse?
Video Transcription: Mike Cirigliano: Hi. My name's Mike Cirigliano. I'm president of the board at GiGi's Playhouse Long Island, and my role is to support our board, our participants, and our volunteers the best that I can. GiGi's Playhouse is a center, a destination, a place to me that supports...
GiGi’s was like oxygen for me
Elena and her husband had been trying to become pregnant for nine years. They had almost given up hope when Elena decided to take one last pregnancy test. The test came back positive. Very early in her pregnancy, they were diagnosed with Down syndrome and hydrocephalus (water on the brain),...
10 things you can do for Down syndrome Awareness Month
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome. This annual observance aims to educate the public about this genetic condition and celebrate the achievements and abilities of those who have it. If you're looking for ways to get...
Summertime Fun!
Woo Hoo Summer is here!! We are ready for sunshine, popsicles, sprinklers/pools, s’mores, and lots of fun family time! But let’s not forget that our children’s learning doesn’t stop just because school is not in session. This is a critical time for them to continue learning. As parents, we all...
A letter to Jesus from Jr
The following is a letter written by Wayne Dunlap. Wayne's son, Jr, was born with Down syndrome and is non-verbal. Recently, Wayne stated that teachers, bus drivers, and therapists have been reporting negative feedback about his son. Wayne knew his son better than anyone else and wanted to help raise...
March 2022 Newsletter
Website | Volunteer | Support GiGi's Playhouse Network Quarterly Newsletter 20 years ago, when I was pregnant with GiGi, I remember telling my husband, “This baby is already changing me for the better. She is going to be the President or a World Leader!” From the womb, she...
Early intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and increase their success in school and life.
From a prenatal diagnosis of having an individual with Down syndrome to taking those first steps to reading, GiGi’s has a variety of programs for early learners and their families (0-4). These programs are designed for individuals with Down syndrome and support the entire family. Our Early Learner programs include GiGiFIT,...
Best of All – Celine
“Celine thoroughly enjoys GiGi’s Kitchen Adult. During the COVID pandemic, GiGi’s was the bright spot in her week. In fact, at one point, she participated every week in TWO GiGi’s cooking classes from Hoffman Estates & Annapolis. She looked forward to seeing the same friends each week. Now, Celine has much better...
GiGi’s was in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival!
Have you heard how AWESOME we were in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival?! It was a cold day from start to finish, but GiGi’s brought warmth to the hearts of millions of people. A few weeks before the big event, we ordered 5,000 hot chocolate packets to hand out to...
Looking for a gift for a child with Down syndrome?
Searching for gift ideas for those with Down syndrome? It can be tricky knowing what will be fun while still providing an element of learning. We’ve curated a list of items that help improve various skills while keeping children engaged. Please look at our recommendations and how they benefit individuals...
Volunteer of the Year- Anna Bruce
Like many families involved with GiGi’s Playhouse, Anna Bruce found GiGi’s when her son, Camden, was born with Down syndrome. She was part of a group of people in the Southern Tier, New York, who led a pop-up Playhouse idea… but after a phone call in 2017, they ultimately realized...