Volunteer Spotlight – Summer!
Summer joined our tutoring team in Fall 2022 and made such an impact with one of our younger participants. Summer went above and beyond, helping to create sight word cards from Nolan’s teacher and incorporate them into his tutoring at the Playhouse. In addition, she steps in as a sub–Program...
The Best of All of Us – Princess Jennifer
Perfecting the pose! Each of us remembers the first day we met her - our very own princess. During introductions, she would quickly share with us, that she is not only "Jennifer", but she's known as "Princess Jennifer". She even had the princess wave perfected and would take time to...
Brew Ha Ha Reflection 2022
It’s been 4 years, 6 months, and 11 days since Lael Joy took her first breath and forever changed my life. It’s been 4 years, 6 months, and 11 days of me becoming a new person, really living through a rebirth of myself. And like all new life, there are...
Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
October is Down Syndrome Awareness (and Acceptance!) Month – an entire dedicated month to shouting our friends' and children’s worth from the rooftops! We've collected some great ideas from other parents about what they'll be doing to celebrate differences and encourage inclusion. Let us know how you are celebrating! Send...
Site Director Receives Community Leader Award!
CONGRATULATIONS, LIZZ! Our Site Director, Lizz Maxwell, was honored as the 2022 recipient of the Community Leader Award at the Lakewood Women’s Club’s Women Honoring Women event at Vosh on Thursday, September 22nd, 2022. (pictured L to R: Torey Worren from Lakewood Women's Club, State Senator Nickie J. Antonio,...
Back to School Tips and Ideas for individuals with Down syndrome!
✅ First Day Outfit for Mom’s Photo Shoot ✅ Backpack with ALL the Stuff ✅ Lunch Box ✅ Water Bottle ✅ Cool, Comfy Shoes Check, Check, Check and Recheck! What else? What else do we need in order to equip our kiddos for a school year of success? This...
Volunteer Spotlight – Catherine!
If you're familiar with GiGi's Playhouse, you know full well how much we rely on our volunteers and how they are truly the heartbeat of our Playhouse! We are excited to introduce you to Catherine, one of our amazing math tutors! We love Catherine's story and want to share it...
Best of All – GiGiFIT Kids’ Squat Jump!
We are so proud of the effort and focus from our GiGiFIT Kids summer class! Check out the video below of them nailing their variation of a squat jump! They have been practicing so much all summer. Standing up from a chair and using that momentum to jump forward works...
Sounds, Smells and Feels of Sweet Summertime!
Splashes at the pool Squeals down the slide Silly groans up a rock wall Hot dogs grilling Freshly mowed grass Blooms of lilac and lavender Warm sunshine Gentle breezes And _____________ You fill in the blank! With July already in our rear view, what will you do with the outdoor...
2nd Annual Dash for Down Syndrome – What a Morning!
Our hearts are so full after an incredible event! We have some amazing descriptions of what took place at our 2nd Annual Dash for Down Syndrome and we thought we would share them with you. "It was a beautiful morning in Lakewood, Ohio. Lakewood Park was bustling with folks of...
Volunteer Spotlight – Erin S!
A Speech-Language Pathologist by day, but a GiGi's Volunteer Superstar at Music Makers and Games with Friends - our volunteer spotlight is Erin Sweeney!! Erin officially joined our GiGi's family in March of 2022, but by how she interacts with our friends and families in the Playhouse, you would think...
Volunteer Spotlight – Marcus and Katie!
Moving right along in our Volunteer Appreciation Month, we have the incredible team of Marcus and Katie! These two incredible people have been our LMNOP assists for the past three years. We love and appreciate the time and energy they spend by helping make LMNOP one of our most popular...