Getting Ready for the Big Day

I understand that races can sometimes be a bit nerve wracking and you may feel unsure on how to best prepare yourself for the race. As someone who has been running for over four years and has run countless races from 400 meters to half marathons I understand that feeling better than most. Since this…

Read More

Best of All: Kinslee

At GiGi’s Playhouse, each program has a therapeutic or educational focus.  Even if it appears the participants are just having fun, they are learning and experiencing therapy in disguise at the same time.  Whether working on social skills, motor skills, speech and language, reading, math, computers or just simple peer interaction, it is all purposeful fun!  Along with…

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Siffrin Academy!

Names: Melarie Weaver Hannah T. Ryan T. Emma S. Erik R. Michael T. Stephanie S. Tell us a little bit about yourself. We want to get to know you! What are some of your favorites? (food, color, season, activity, restaurant, place to shop, etc.) How did you learn about GiGi’s and what prompted you to…

Read More

Best of All: Speech Participants!

There have been so many Best of All moments to come out of our Amina Grace Speech and Language Program this year, that we couldn’t help but to highlight so many of the accomplishments our friends are making! Read below for some Best of All moments shared by our SLP students this spring. Adilene: Adilene…

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Gwyn

Name: Gwyn Blythe Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a freshman at Jackson High School. I am in a program my school offers called JAGS which stands for Jackson Academy for Global Studies. I have 2 siblings Graham (7th) and Blaire (11th). I have also lived in Ohio all of my life.…

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Spring SLP Team!

These speech teams have been such a treat to work with! In September of 2022, we launched the Amina Grace Speech and Language program at our GiGi’s Playhouse Canton location. This one-on-one program provides youth, teens and adults with greatly expanded opportunities to evolve and refine their speech and language skills. So far, we have…

Read More

Best of All: Hadlie

Hadlie is 3 years old and is a newer Playhouse participant who began speech therapy in the Amina Grace Speech and Language program with us this spring. Hadlie comes prepared each week with her backpack and loves coming to “school” at GiGi’s and meeting with her “teacher” Ms. Lauren! We first met Hadlie at our…

Read More

Inclusion Matters

Let’s talk about dance competitions. I never knew what all this entailed until we entered the dance competition world 4 years ago. But it is exactly that – a competition; individuals and teams being scored by judges to try and score the highest. Where does a little girl that happens to have Down syndrome fit…

Read More

Best of All: Alaina

best of all (noun) \best of all\ is continual, measurable, celebrated and it never ends. It is a daily challenge to do a little better than you did the day before and it’s always celebrated. Possible manifestations: standing just one second longer, reading just one more word, learning just one new number, taking just one…

Read More

Volunteer Spotlight: Amy

Name: Amy Zavarelli Tell us a little bit about yourself. I have been a School Counselor for 17 years. I live in North Canton with my husband; Together we have 3 boys and 3 dogs!! In my spare time, I love to watch sports and spend time with friends. We want to get to know…

Read More