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 hosted by the Tehran University…

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Reinventing GiGi’s in a virtual world

GiGi’s Playhouse network of 60 locations and startups were hit hard with the cancellation of over 50 GiGi’s events due to COVID-19. So, in typical GiGi’s style, we are going to come back with the biggest and best acceptance event ever! Introducing GiGi’s Virtual Step to Accept Across America hosted by 60 GiGi’s Playhouses across…

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Acceptance Matters: Statement on Tsukui Yamayuri-en Atrocity

Acceptance matters every day. We condemn the senseless and vicious attacks on 19 defenseless individuals with disabilities this past Tuesday. The attack occurred at Tsukui Yamayuri-en, an assisted care facility outside of Tokyo Japan. Our hearts are broken. Ignorance and darkness prayed on the innocent. The unassuming. The suspect revealed to police that “it is better that…

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Musical Hands Supporting GiGi’s Playhouse

Musical Hands Supporting GiGi’s Playhouse: Musician to record CD benefiting Individuals with Down syndrome Hoffman Estates, IL, December 14, 2015 – Pianist Ryan Shookman decided to create a holiday album that represented his family and benefited individuals with Down syndrome. He learned to play the piano with the help of his mother Maureen, and thus…

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Holiday Wishes from Nancy Gianni

To Our Amazing Supporters, Vendors, Playhouses, Families and Friends: CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a year! YOU are the miracles that help our families every day! Because of YOUR support and impact, I can’t help but marvel at the achievements that occurred in 2015: We opened TEN playhouses bringing our total to 27! We’ve been blessed by more…

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A Daily Stand for Global Acceptance

  Friends: today we come to you with troubling news – news that demonstrates why GiGi’s Playhouse fights so hard every day for Global Acceptance. We BELIEVE that people of all abilities should be treated with dignity. Not everyone does. We believe people of all abilities should be included. Not everyone does. We believe people…

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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 on the same stage just…

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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 playhouse Locations. Will GiGi’s Playhouse…

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