Program News

By Marissa Iacullo, OTS    Hello GiGi’s Families! World Down Syndrome Day is on Monday, March 21st, and we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to highlight the amazing spring interns at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. These interns are hard working, creative, enthusiastic, and leaders at the Playhouse. They are representative of how important it…

By: Anna Parker, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Math Tutor   I have had the pleasure of tutoring Michelle in math for just over one year now. I am so thankful for this opportunity, as it has been such a fulfilling and rewarding learning opportunity. I feel that Michelle has taught me more about life and perspective…

GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago staff and board members at our annual January Board Retreat at the Playhouse. Written by: Kali Schrey, Communications Committee Member It’s crazy to think that another year has come and gone, and as we transition from 2021 to 2022 it is important to not only reflect on where we came from, but…

  Hi Playhouse families! My name is Jessie and I am a 3rd year student in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at Rush University! I will be spending the next 14-weeks at the Playhouse and cannot wait to meet you all. During my time at the Playhouse, I will be studying how literacy tutoring impacts…

At the end of 2021, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago had the awesome opportunity to share its mission and vision at AHS Celebrates event hosted by University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). In the session titled “Learning Together: An Innovative Community Partnership in Service of Individuals and Families with Down Syndrome” our very own team spoke out GiGi’s…

  Pictured back row from left to right, GiGi’s Playhouse President, Evguenia Popova, Site Coordinator, Grace Glenny, UIC Student, Julie Suh, UIC Student, Holly Woyome. Front row from left to right, Professor and Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy at UIC, Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, PhD, Playhouse Yoga Intern, Sam R., Playhouse Yoga Intern Brenda V.,…

    Crawlers and Walkers is a great program for young children (ages 0-3) and their families! Come to enjoy an active hour of movement, singing and play.  From ball and parachute games, tunnels, and bubbles there is something for everyone! The group is facilitated by physical and occupational therapists and students and offers a…

This week we kicked off parent-child yoga here at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. Parent-Child yoga is part of an 8-week program that Hannah Hartz, a Rush University occupational therapy doctoral student, is leading as part of her capstone project for school. Each class is an hour long, individual session where families have the opportunity to learn…

Hi, my name is Diego. I am 24 years old. My favorite foods are pizza, Coke, cake, chicken, and burgers. My favorite color is green and my favorite movie is Boss Baby. I like to read, draw, and play sports, especially soccer. My all time favorite thing is PARTY TIME. At my internship, I learn…