Literacy Coordinator Changing Lives, One Syllable at a Time
When the Denver Playhouse doors opened last fall, we were fortunate to have one of GiGi's model programs - Literacy 1:1 tutoring available to our families. This program is unique and impactful for individuals with Down syndrome as it strives to foster a love for reading no matter your age!...
Spreading Awareness on World Down Syndrome Day
Spreading Awareness on World Down Syndrome Day We celebrate World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) on March 21. This day holds importance to our community as it signifies the triplication of the 21st chromosome. It's an opportunity to spread awareness and acceptance to the amazing individuals with Down syndrome living in...
Meet the Denver Playhouse Sweetheart
We're feeling the love this month and wanted to share our appreciation for a special member of the Denver Playhouse team. She's the smile you see when you stop by during office hours, and the sunshine you can hear through the phone when you call the Denver Playhouse. Meet our...
A Family’s Drive for Acceptance
Each month, Landon Porto and his family make the 160-mile round trip drive from Colorado Springs to GiGi's Playhouse Denver to attend Destination Discover - one of our signature programs. This program supports fine and gross motor skills, social skills, and language through purposeful play and peer-to-peer interaction in...
Meet GiGi’s Playhouse Denver Board President
It's been so nice to meet so many families and new faces at the Denver Playhouse since opening our doors last fall. Today, we wanted to introduce you to one of the faces you'll be seeing at the Playhouse as well as around town connecting with the local community on...
GiGiFIT Teen Wraps Inaugural Session
GiGi's Playhouse Denver celebrates another milestone to close out a momentous 2021 - the successful close of its first GiGiFIT session! Starting in November 2021, participants met weekly at the Playhouse for six group fitness sessions. This program marks the first teen program held in the recently opened location, the 55th...
Welcome Windows Make A Positive Introduction for New Playhouse
Part of our mission at GiGi's Playhouse is to promote the positive perception of individuals with Down syndrome. Therefore, a signature piece of every GiGi's Playhouse is the vibrant, engaging photo galleries on the building exterior – affectionately known as Welcome Windows. The Denver GiGi's Playhouse Welcome Windows provide a...
Sensory Friendly Tips for Large Public Events
Large gatherings, like our Grand Opening celebration, can be exciting and fun! However, they can also be overwhelming and chaotic for people. So we wanted to make sure you felt prepared and ready for a day filled with celebration. Here are some tips to utilize for events. Body Strategies: Loud music,...
A New Destination for Purposeful Playtime in Denver!
Volunteer Spotlight Q&A Briana Rigau, Program Lead, Destination Discovery Destination Discovery is one of the signature programs at GiGi’s Playhouse, following the same structure and curriculum at each location to provide purposeful progressions by supporting our youngest learners through adulthood. This program is developed to support fine motor skills, gross...
Shine a Spotlight on Brie!
GiGi’s Playhouse is a volunteer-run organization, and we rely on the skill and dedication of volunteers of various levels of expertise to keep our programs vibrant, educational, purposeful, fun, and FREE. Since the first Playhouse opened in 2003, GiGi’s Playhouse programs have always been free for our families. Parents, family...
Building Strong Bodies, Strong Communities Through MOVEment
GiGi’s Playhouse has launched the GiGi Fit Acceptance Challenge – a MOVEment to inspire everyone to be physically and socially active. Our goal is to prove that every person should be accepted for who they are. We’re excited to shine the spotlight on a Colorado resident who’s been an active fitness enthusiast, and advocate for Down syndrome acceptance since the day she was born. Here is a bit of our interview...
A Chance to Get it Right
Ask any grandparent and they will tell you, there is no love like the love for a grandchild. It’s true. I love all three of my grandchildren with that indescribable grandparent love. But when a child is born with special needs, as Alden was born with Down syndrome, a grandparent’s concern and...