Posts by Grace Glenny

  At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all. We do this through free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs that empower individuals with Down syndrome to achieve their greatest potential.    To sustain and grow this…

  Hello everyone! My name is Amanda and I am an occupational therapy assistant student from Wright College. I’m beyond excited to spend the next eight weeks at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago for my Level 2 fieldwork placement, where I’ll serve as a math tutor and lead various groups for adult participants, including GiGi’s Kitchen and…

  It’s that time of year again — notebooks are open, pencils are sharpened, and GiGi’s tutoring and programming is back in full swing! This September we’re celebrating everything that makes our community shine — learning together, showing what we know, and lifting each other up with kindness and encouragement. And ice cream too!  …

  Make an impact by donating to our back-to-school donation drive! Our first annual Back-to-School Donation Drive is here, and we need your help as we prepare for fall tutoring sessions.    🎁 What We’re Collecting:  Notebooks, pens, and pencils to empower learning  Art and craft supplies to nurture creativity  Hand sanitizer and soap to…

At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, our mission is to make a lifetime commitment to changing lives and providing hope through the consistent delivery of FREE educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, using a replicable playhouse model. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of board members works…

  At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, we believe play is a powerful teacher — and that representation matters. Baby dolls that authentically reflect Down syndrome help children build skills and confidence while fostering:  Authentic representation: Children see themselves and their family members reflected in play, promoting self-confidence and belonging.  Awareness and acceptance: Features like almond-shaped eyes,…

  Hi everyone! My name is Emily Mangan and I am an intern at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago this summer. I just finished my junior year of undergrad at Baylor University, and I am happy to be home for the summer. As a Pre-Occupational Therapy student, GiGi’s Playhouse is a great opportunity for me to learn…

At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, we believe that every tutoring session is an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow, not just for our students, but for our tutors as well. Recently, we had the pleasure of watching a special connection form between one of our literacy tutors, Michelle, and her student, Karen. What started as structured…

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa, and I’m so excited to be joining GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago for the next 14 weeks as part of my doctoral capstone project at UIC, where I’m currently an occupational therapy doctoral student. During my time here, I’ll be leading the Art Explosion and Playhouse Pals programs as part of…

GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago is bursting with pride! At this year’s Brew HaHa Fundraising Event, we had the absolute joy of recognizing three incredible individuals (and one amazing family!) whose passion, dedication, and love for our community make the Playhouse a brighter, more magical place every day. Meet our 2024 honorees!         Rising…