In March we are also celebrating National Reading Month: Best Of All Literacy Spotlight on Olu & Michelle

This National Reading Month, we’re thrilled to highlight the inspiring partnership between Olu and his tutor, Michelle. Olu has made incredible progress in his literacy skills while also building a meaningful friendship through their shared love of books this spring. One of his biggest achievements has been learning to input the things he enjoys into his speech device and confidently using it during their one-on-one sessions. Now, Olu eagerly chooses his books before each meeting, looks forward to seeing Michelle every week, and is recognizing new words through both his reading and his device.

Tutoring at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago is about more than just reading, it’s about providing personalized support for individuals with Down syndrome and creating a space that participants look forward to coming to. Olu especially loves seeing “our littles” at the Playhouse, as he adores playing with babies, making each visit even more special when we have our littles around.  These one-on-one sessions show how tutoring can boost confidence, foster independence, and create joyful connections that extend beyond the pages of a book.

At GiGi’s, we’re proud to celebrate every milestone, big or small, because each step forward is a story worth sharing and Olu’s story is a shining example of how support, friendship, and literacy go hand in hand.