GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago Presents at University of Illinois Chicago AHS Celebrates

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 Playhouse Chicago and UIC partnership through the years. Grace Glenny (Site Coordinator), Jennifer Puma (Program Coordinator), Lauren Duffy (Therapeutic Programming Committee Member), Vanessa Honorato (Program Leader), and Sam Radinsky (Program Leader) spoke about our accomplishments and programs that would not have been possible without the tireless work of UIC graduate students, including:

• Wednesday Yoga and Dance program
• Thursday Cooking Club and Teen Tastic program
• Friday Journal Club program

After completing his internship at GiGi’s Playhouse, Sam joined the Wednesday Yoga and Dance program where he teaches the yoga portion to a group of children ages 7 to 12. Sam has been a great addition to the program leadership, and every week he brings creative ways to teach his yoga skills, as in the case of his Yoga Stories, where participants complete yoga poses that are embedded in an engaging narrative storyline. During the AHS Celebrates event Sam talked about his experience as a leader, his favorite parts of the Yoga and Dance program, and why he loves being a part of GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago.

Check out our presentation here!