Believing they CAN!!
I'd like to introduce you to a few of our interns at Hugs + Mugs, Matt, Chris, Patrick and Nicole. Nicole is a mentor and from the 1st class of GiGi U and the boys are all interns from the 2nd class, they graduated in May. They were so very...
Make the shot. Make a difference.
This past Wednesday (8/13/14) we held our 1st Annual Golf Outing to benefit GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. With 18 sponsors, 25 volunteers and over 100 golfers in attendance, it was a day to remember! Matt - Silver Medalist We began the day with registration and a putting...
Nine Playhouses offer LMNOP this summer!
First piloted at our Quad Cities Playhouse in the summer of 2012, Language, Music 'N Our Peeps (LMNOP) has quickly become one of the most requested GiGi's Playhouse programs! Led by a volunteer speech-language therapist and designed to facilitate language skill development through use of music and movement- LMNOP helps some...
Be Inspired by Danny Bottcher…..
We are surrounded by amazing families that have inspired us. We've had 2 families show their support for GiGi's Playhouse and Hugs + Mugs by hosting Lemonade Stands and 1 family created friendship bracelets they sold to raise money for GiGi's. When I asked why they decided to host a...
GiGi U students prepare for graduation
This summer, our GiGi University students have been nothing short of fabulous! Each day, they give all that they've got, with the ultimate goal of developing their confidence, health and "whole self". For the past several weeks, GiGi U has focused on challenging this group of remarkable adults...
Meet our future intern – Aubrey
This week we have our first guest Blogger – Aubrey S. Aubrey is currently a student at GiGi U. She is very anxious to graduate in a few weeks and join our crew at Hugs + Mugs as an Intern. Here’s what Aubrey had to say about GiGi U...
Yoga Tales @ GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines
Each week at Yoga Tales, Max and his buddies work to improve body awareness, enhance concentration and strengthen gross motors skills, all in the context of FUN! Who knew that while making new friends, practicing turn taking and following instructions, Max and his friends could also build their self-esteem and...
Lucky to be part of a family tradition…
Last week Hugs + Mugs was fortunate enough to be part of a young girls annual Birthday tradition. The young girls name is Olivia. Olivia’s birthday is in January, every year she and her grandma plan an entire day to themselves. They could schedule their day closer to her actual...
Self-Advocate Story Serves as Motivation for Upcoming Golf Outing
As we prepare for the upcoming National Achievement Center Golf Outing (August 13th), we are inspired by the story of Eugene, a self-advocate and avid golfer from Rockford, IL: Eugene Mund Playing Golf "Eugene has been a participant of GiGi’s Playhouse since the beginning. He and his family...
My Uncle Mikey | Guest Blogger from GiGi’s Syracuse
Here's an excerpt from a blog by our friends at GiGi's Playhouse in Syracuse that we had to share. I struggle to think of the perfect way to start. There are so many things I could say. Let’s start with the beginning …. November 1, 1972, Michael Edward was born into a...
V21 Vitamin Cookies HANDMADE – HEARTFELT – HOPE FILLED
Hugs+ Mugs Gift Shop and Café is a retail store that provides GiGi University graduates a live internship to provide them with individualized, hands on training to hone their skills and prepare them for fulfilling community based employment. Hugs+ Mugs offers the public to create their own custom made mugs...
Volunteers truly are the heart of every Playhouse.
Volunteers truly are the heart of every Playhouse. Not only does GiGi's Playhouse depend on Volunteers to assist with our programs, but each program is led by a volunteer educator or therapist and supported by a host family. Volunteers wear many "hats" in the Playhouse- answering phones and greeting guests,...