GiGi’s : Stronger Together
30 GiGi's Playhouses from around the country and in Mexico participated in our 6th Annual GiGi's Board Conference at the Schaumburg Convention Center. It was 3 days of inspiration, education, networking and fun! #StrongerTogether The conference ended with a banquet where our adult interns with Down...
Having a best friend is natural… She has a best friend!!!
We often wondered what will it be like for Katelynn to make friends and build lasting friendships, like we wish for all of our children and ourselves... Katelynn had the privilege to attend a wonderful Early Childhood Program in Libertyville, IL this past year. The program was rich in acceptance,...
GiGi’s Playhouse- Inspiring our communities, one individual at a time
Two years ago, I did not have a personal connection to Down syndrome. 2 years ago I sent in an email to see if I could help. I picked up my camera and went to visit the brand new GiGi's Playhouse-Syracuse to take pictures at their Open Play. I watched,...
Be the Change – A Down Syndrome Awareness Month Challenge
You can Be the Change for Down syndrome. To kick off Down Syndrome Awareness month, we are asking the question: "What are you doing this month to spread awareness and achievements?". Comment and share our posts with your friends and family. Post your pictures and videos with us on our social...
Down syndrome Awareness month
Tomorrow marks the start Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Throughout the month of October and continuing through the rest of the year, GiGi's Playhouse celebrates the Down syndrome by recognizing the potential that children and adults with Ds have. Through innovative and goal-oriented programs, offered at no cost to our families, GiGi's...
Here’s a sneak peak……
Hugs+Mugs has been busy preparing for Gigi Fest - All of our mentors and interns have been spending their time making and packaging our V-21 Cookies and testing our G-21 Gluten free version - working hard to guarantee a Gigi Fest debut. But whats really been keeping us busy are...
Be The Change : A Message from Nancy
Hello All! October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and is another chance to spread awareness, advocacy and inclusion throughout the community! At GiGi's we celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments everyday! But it is hard to celebrate when our friends with disabilities are being...
Karate Kickers working toward their Best Of All!
This past weekend, three of our teens from our GiGi's Playhouse Rockford's Karate Kickers class went to the 5th Annual Midwest Youth Programs Karate Invitational. Nate, Dylan and Adam competed on September 7th and have made us so proud! The benefits of karate for people with Down syndrome are endless. Karate focuses on...
GiGi U : confident u – healthy u – whole u
Last week saw the graduation of the 3rd class of GiGi University. Congratulations Class Summer 2014! These students spent the last 10 weeks learning the pillars of GiGi U's: HEALTHY U, CONFIDENT U & WHOLE U. The GiGi U graduates are proud of who they are, learned the importance of...
Our Staff keeps growing…..
We had quite a week at the Playhouse and Hugs+Mugs. The third class of GiGi U graduated Thursday evening. Hugs+Mugs mentors, Tim, Nicole, Kiera, Patrick, Brian and Christine, were on hand to show their support for the graduating class. Our Mentors remember how nervous they were when they were standing...
GiGi Prep | Achievement of a whole new kind!
GiGi Prep is a 6-week program for adults, which guides adults with Ds toward healthy lifestyle choices and goal setting. As the students strive to reach their highest potential, they prepare for future participation in GiGi University. Ramsan came to GiGi Prep last fall and ever since he walked through...
Paying it Forward –
GiGi University student Aubrey and Hugs + Mugs intern Brian accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge. Joined by GiGi’s team members Sarah Rickaby and Jayne Drew, the foursome were caught on video paying it forward. The participants not only challenged some of their friends, but also two of GiGi’s other 16...
