Ryan Hearty: GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Impact Story
What brought you to GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago? I first got involved with the playhouse when I was living in Canada over 9 years ago. Coming to Chicago on a frequent basis, I found myself helping with events, programs, and even just attending some of the regularly held fundraisers. Once I...
Lillie Honeychuck: GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Impact Story
What brought you to GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago? I heard about GiGi's Playhouse Chicago through a family member while looking for a long-term volunteering opportunity. I work as an actuary, so joining the finance committee and becoming a math tutor were a perfect fit. I was thrilled to join the board...
Mary Mangan: GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Impact Story
What brought you to GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago? I had heard great things about GiGi's Playhouse over the years from the Girls Scouts at my children's school who volunteered there. My dear friend and college roommate brought me into GiGi's Playhouse Chicago. Her daughter Samantha was born with Down syndrome. I...
The Ripple Effect of Kindness: Join us in a 25 Days of Giving Challenge
Did you know that random acts of kindness have a ripple effect on your body, mind, spirit, and the community? Performing random acts of kindness triggers the release of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter in our brains. Yes! That means that acts of kindness, whether big or small, generate a sense...
The Magic of Scribbles and Splatters: Highlights from Art Explosion Jr.
GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago has been a favorite place of our families since our daughter, Lily, was born in 2018. We had an at-birth diagnosis that quickly sent us on a journey into the Down syndrome community and led us right to GiGi’s. We found people who could help us learn...
Beau Bates: GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Impact Story
What brought you to GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago? I first got involved as a volunteer to support the build-out efforts of GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago. I felt that this is something that I could really help with and continued to stay involved as a Facilities Chair on the Board of Managers. Making...
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...
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...
Empowering Change: Ensuring a Vibrant Future for GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago through Your Support
Make An Impact At GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, we are dedicated in 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. Over the past year we have continued to...
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,...
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...
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...
