Featured Event
November 16, 2024
At GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland, we’re dedicated to transforming lives through our free, progressive programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
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“GiGi’s Playhouse is Ana’s second home and she is so happy to come every time. She loves to read and do math with her teachers, who are her friends. From the moment she came here, she has made tremendous progress. She is not as stubborn and she is doing her homework by herself. This is not easy all the time but she is trying hard. Her reading and math skills have improved significantly. They taught her how to use her stubbornness towards something worthwhile. Basically, GiGi’s Playhouse is the only place that is helping us with Ana. There may be some government or state programs, but if both parents are working, more than likely, you will not qualify for any of them. Everything is so expensive and the help we get from GiGi’s Playhouse is priceless. If you want to come and make friends and learn at the same time, this is the perfect place.”
- Stefan, Ana's dad
“Despite living about a football field away from GiGi’s Playhouse and watching the space transform, (our brother-in-law did electrical work for the Playhouse), I thought it was an early childhood center. We didn’t even walk in until one Saturday of the Lakewood Art Festival. Annie’s Grandma, aunt, and cousins were with us, and we were all amazed. We were greeted by the most enthusiastic director and band of volunteers – many we recognized from school and Lakewood. We signed Annie up for anything we could fit into her busy schedule. Since then, GiGi’s has been an amazing addition to her and our lives! Annie participates in Book Club, Fantastic Friends, (she even snuck into a few Teen Tastics), Project Pulse, GiGiFit, and Games with Friends. Honestly, it’s all about what we can squeeze into her daily schedule. There’s not much she misses!”
- Janette, Annie's mom
“Jasiah is three years old and has been attending programs at GiGi’s since he was an infant. Jasiah was born during the height of Covid, thus it was a time of isolation from family, friends, and community. Fortunately, we learned about GiGi’s Playhouse from Jasiah’s developmental pediatrician. I remember reaching out to Lizz (I believe I left a message) telling her that I recently had a baby with Trisomy 21 and was referred to the Playhouse. When Lizz called me back, I immediately felt her warm and inviting energy, passion, and excitement about supporting individuals with Trisomy 21 and their families. I told her all about Jasiah and she excitedly shared with me age-appropriate programming that Jasiah could participate in. The first program Jasiah attended was LMNOP with Ms. Amanda via Zoom. She and all of the volunteers were so very welcoming and supportive. I can remember feeling nervous, yet very relieved that we found a community for Jasiah outside of our immediate family. Jasiah and I learned a lot of sign language from LMNOP. I really feel that the program jumped start our journey of incorporating signing into Jasiah’s daily routine. Jasiah has also participated in GiGiFIT with Ms. Erin and her volunteers. In addition, Jasiah was fortunate to participate in a speech session with Ms. Libby. More recently, Jasiah has been regularly attending the Leaps & Bounds program. We have truly seen lots of leaps in regard to Jasiah’s development since participating. His attention span has increased for joint attention activities. His observation of the other kids helps him be confident in his motor and language abilities.”
- Keionna, Jasiah's mom
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