A Friendsgiving Feast to Remember

As the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp, we are reminded of the warmth that fills the hearts of friends coming together for Friendsgiving. Friendsgiving is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of the shared memories within our GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago community. This year, we hosted our very first Friendsgiving potluck…

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Welcome OTD Students, Michaela and Maya!

Hi there! My name is Michaela and I am an Occupational Therapy assistant student in my last Fieldwork Placement before I graduate. I grew up in the Northwest suburbs and completed classes at College of DuPage and transferred to Wilbur Wright in 2021 to join the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. My journey as an OTA student has been filled with so…

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Community Connection with North Park Elementary

Written by Maya Wilkins OTA Student GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago welcomed some very special visitors this week from neighboring North Park Elementary School! Ms. Lawrence’s first grade class arrived eager to learn more about GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, Down syndrome, and how they can be a part of #GenerationG by being accepting, generous, and kind. Quincy, Emily, Ryan,…

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Welcome to the team, Nillam!

We’re thrilled to welcome Nillam Raja as our new Program Coordinator at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago! Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Nillam and her family made Chicago their new home in November 2021. With a background in Hospitality and Business Management from Leicester College in the United Kingdom, Nillam brings a unique skill set to…

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Empowering Teens Through Yoga, Teamwork, and Superhero Capes: A Look into Our Teen Tactic Program!

Written by OT Capstone Student – Zoe Goldman Our dynamic Teen Tactic program tailored for participants ages 13+, runs every other Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm! This program kicks off with a 45-minute yoga session followed by interactive group activities to promote the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and social skills all while making friends and having fun! …

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Make An Impact as a 321 Monthly Donor 

At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, we are dedicated to our mission “to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all” by keeping our programs and services FREE and 99% volunteer run. By becoming a monthly donor, you can help us sustain and expand our programs and…

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Embracing Differences and Celebrating Abilities Every Day! 

Did you know that October is Down Syndrome Acceptance Month? Today and every day is a great time to spread awareness, acceptance, and celebration for people with Down syndrome. 💙💛💙💛  At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome, and to achieve this mission we aspire to take…

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Welcome OTA Student, Yesenia!

Written by Yesenia – OTA student from Wilbur Wright College Hello, my name is Yesenia. I am an OTA student at Wilbur Wright College. I am currently completing my Fieldwork placement at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. I am completing a week placement at the Playhouse. I look forward to meeting families and interviewing families about their…

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Welcome OTA Student, Emily!

Written by Emily Joyce – OTA student at Wilbur Wright Community College. Hello! My name is Emily Joyce and I am in my last semester completing my Occupational Therapy Assistant degree at Wilbur Wright Community College in Chicago. I am spending the next 8 weeks at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago completing my Fieldwork placement, and am…

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