Build-Out
Welcome Bruce!
Bruce is most known as GiGi’s Art Explosion! instructor and literacy tutor, but he has a past. Bruce is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has lived in Chicago for more than 20-years. Bruce earned his BFA from Carnegie-Mellon University; A Certificate from the Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy; an MEd in Higher Education…
Read MoreNew Program – Destination Discovery
Get ready for a BRAND NEW PROGRAM coming to GiGi’s Chicago this summer!! Starting July 8th through August 30th , GiGi’s will be running Destination Discovery, a purposeful play program for all ages! From 10am to 12pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, this program will provide fun stations, sing alongs, book readings, and other activities designed…
Read MoreLight Bulb Moment in Literacy
Good At Guessing! Bruce, one of our many great literacy tutors, has been working with Michelle for 2 seasons now. Michelle is very bright and has learned that when reading she can look around for context clues. She made guesses on what the words said based on the pictures she saw; and since the sentences…
Read MoreArtists at the GiGi’s Chicago Playhouse
Art Explodes at GiGi’s Playhouse! Last fall, fourteen individuals with Down syndrome put their art skills to the test with our Art Explosion! program. Due to the large amount of success after a few small workshop classes, a new 5 week programs was created! Over the course of those 5 weeks, they studied Vincent Van…
Read MoreRuns for Ted!
Take me out to a ball game, or 30 games! This family of four from Arizona has decided to take a road trip to all 30 major league baseball stadiums. They will travel across the country in a span of 3 months! They have a facebook page and a website where you can get more information…
Read MoreGrab a Co-Worker and Come Hang Out With Us!
Company Sponsored Events at the Playhouse Last Thursday, The Nielsen Company came and sponsored an open play for the GiGi’s Chicago Playhouse. The volunteers did face painting and temporary tattoos for our teens. They played indoor beach volleyball because of the rain and lots of other fun games. Pizza was eaten, memories made, and all…
Read MoreA Visitor from Thousand Waves Martial Arts Center
karate at the playhouse The benefits of karate for people with Down syndrome are endless; it focuses on development of balance, coordination, discipline, focus, attention, physical fitness, and confidence. Senpai Sam Boyer introduced the study of Seido karate to individuals with Down syndrome the past several Thursdays in place of their normal teen programs. Seido…
Read MoreGiGi’s Chicago: Furnishing our New Playhouse
This past year, GiGi’s Playhouse in Chicago underwent an expansion to help meet the needs of our growing community. Our previous space was small and did not have the proper furnishings needed to implement our free educational and therapeutic programming to individuals with Down syndrome. When it came time to furnish the newly expanded space,…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Grace Gibbs
Purposeful Programming: How do we do it? GiGi’s provides purposeful programming for all ages. We have an amazing team of highly qualified and passionate volunteers who lead our programs. This month, we’re going to shine a spotlight on Grace Gibbs, a teacher who runs our Saturday LMNOP program. She is also the Math Tutoring Coordinator and Vice…
Read MoreNamaste at GiGi’s Get Fit
GiGi’s Get Fit is a fun-filled fitness program for teens and young adults that focuses on promoting strength, coordination and endurance through introduction to yoga, interval training and dance amongst others. This session we have been learning about yoga and its role in promoting strength, endurance and flexibility. Some of our favorite moves to work…
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