To Fully Celebrate Diversity, We Must Understand Intersectionality
Intersectionality certainly turns the chessboard of diversity into one that is multi-dimensional. Without intersectionality, diversity becomes a singular layer where people of that category of equality are myopically fighting for their own piece of discriminatory turf. The basis for intersectionality is how various portions of an individual’s makeup can be...
Barry Books and Cooks Inspiration at 60!
At 60 years of age, Barry Burris is the oldest participant at GiGi’s Playhouse in Fort Meyers, Florida. A few years ago, Barry decided to improve his literacy skills. He was a level two reader at the time and had not received any formal literacy instruction since high school. With...
GiGi’s Playhouse Shines on the Global Medical Stage
On February 24th, 2022, GiGi’s Playhouse Founder and Chief Belief Officer, Nancy Gianni, and GiGi’s Playhouse National Education Manager, Shari Andress presented with a panel of experts at the 33rd International Congress on Pediatrics in a break-out session entitled “Experiences with Down Syndrome Patients”. The event was held virtually and was...
From our Founder: GiGi’s Goes to the Olympics
Hello Awesome GiGi’s Network! It is always such a blessing to get the opportunity to address everyone at all 61 GiGi’s Playhouse locations and start-ups, and the people who support them! In this update you will see how GiGi’s was represented by an amazing athlete at the winter Olympics in...
Big News and Happy Hearts
JOIN US on Saturday, February 26, for the return of the GiGi’s Playhouse “i have a voice” gala. Celebrity guest appearances, stellar entertainment and one-of-a-kind auction opportunities make this THE can’t miss gala of the Season. Tickets are limited, but the fun, inspiration and party are infinite!VIP seating with table service, passes to VIP reception and ringside seats...
Make a difference and volunteer to be a tutor!
Want to make an impact? Consider being a volunteer tutor! You can clearly see Shelby has gained confidence and skills in just one session of literacy and math tutoring! “I cannot thank GiGi's enough for the tutoring! After 3 weeks of Literacy tutoring, Shelby just picked up books and...
Another GiGi’s Miracle
A Holiday Message from Nancy and GiGi As GiGi and I finished our last road trip for 2021 I hit the Home button on my GPS and it said 3 hr 21 min! What? 321; the Down syndrome numbers! I was instantly filled with gratitude and awe. I knew it was...
Because of you … 2021 was amazing!
Dear Friends, Thank you. Because of you, GiGi’s Playhouse has triumphed over the unthinkable. Because of you, we're now reaching new parts of the world. Because of you, we’re now helping previously unserved communities. Because of you, we never let our families down, despite the tumult of 2020 and 2021....
Happiness and Down syndrome
Many people have the misperception that individuals with Down syndrome are always happy. I have a few thoughts about happiness and Down syndrome. 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,...
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...