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How to Watch & Participate in the Dance-A-Thon
The biggest dance party of the year is almost here and we want to give you all the details on how to best enjoy, watch and participate in this years virtual Get Down with Down Syndrome Dance-A-Thon! What to do this Saturday, November 14th: 1. At 1:00 pm CDT, head over to our our GiGi’s…
Read MoreA Letter from Sunny – Occupational Therapy Intern
This past summer, I have had the pleasure of serving as an intern at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago as a part of my occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience. Over the course of my experience here, I have been welcomed with open arms by the staff, board members and volunteers. As I finish up my time as…
Read MoreHow YOUR Steps Keep Us Accepting
Since GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago has opened, we have been able to service a multitude of incredible families. As of now, we have over 560 families attending GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. Not only do these numbers reflect the enthusiastic participation and community GiGi’s has built, but also the need within the community. GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago is a…
Read MoreBe Mindful of Germs During FLU Season
Dear GiGi’s Families, Volunteers and Friends: We want you all to stay healthy, and help us keep our GiGi Families, Friends, and Volunteers as healthy as possible as we face the flu season and COVID-19 also know as the coronavirus. While the risk of getting COVID-19 in the United States remains low, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago is…
Read MoreThe Start of Something Great: Creating new opportunities for young adults with Down syndrome one internship at a time.
This year GiGi’s Playhouse Thursday night programs have been extremely fortunate to get a programs intern, Emily Kwidzinski. As part of her internship, Emily has been helping program leaders members at GiGi’s with the full Thursday night programming: Teen Tastic, GetFit, Cooking Club, and Dance! Emily has been attending GiGi’s as a participant since she…
Read MoreWelcome 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…
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