Meet Our Summer Interns!

Our Summer Interns! From left to right: Jalen and Gabbi     Meet Gabbi!  Hello, my name is Gabbi Anker. I from Polk City, Iowa. I am a recent graduate of Iowa State University where I majored in Child, Adult, and Family Services with my focus being on children. Some...

3/21 World Down syndrome Day Celebration

Down syndrome is defined as “a congenital disorder arising from a chromosome defect, causing intellectual impairment and physical abnormalities including short stature and a broad facial profile. It arises from a defect involving chromosome 21, usually an extra copy (trisomy-21).” To the lucky few, Down syndrome is much more than...

6th Annual GiGi’s Playhouse Holiday Vendor Fair

Come support the 6th Annual GiGi's Playhouse Holiday Vendor Fair! Get some holiday shopping done while supporting GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines as well as local businesses and vendors. Save the date for shopping! We hope to see you there! We are now accepting applications for vendors, and we encourage you...

Volunteer Spotlight….Chastity Price!!

Meet Chastity Price! She is our wonderful host for not one but TWO of our programs at GiGi's Playhouse. She is the 4th Friday host for Friday Friends and she also hosts Friends, Fun and Fitness. "I absolutely love volunteering at GiGi's playhouse!  GiGi's is a very special place most...

Volunteer Spotlight…LMNOP host Lori Leach!

Meet Lori Leach! She is our wonderful host for our singing and signing program called Language Music N Our Peeps, also known as, LMNOP! "These kiddos steal my heart every Thursday evening when I volunteer as the leaders for Language Music N Our Peeps (LMNOP) at GiGi's Playhouse! We sing,...

Volunteer Spotlight….Kristin Sohn!!

Meet Kristin Sohn! She has been volunteering for GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines for over 4 years! Kristin started off as a tutor for a couple years but then in winter 2016 she needed more volunteer hours for a college class, so she helped with GiGi University and has been a...

Volunteer Spotlight

  Meet Jenny Meade! In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Week we would like to share a bit about our volunteer extraordinaire Jenny. Jenny has been volunteering with GiGi's Playhouse since September of 2016, and we couldn't imagine GiGi's without her! Jenny volunteers with the GiGi University Internship program, and she...
mom's night planting

Green Thumbs & Great Company

We had such a great time at Mom's Night Out planting succulents and socializing with fellow mammas. Moms had fun dip dying coffee cups to create marbled pots for our colorful succulents. We loved meeting new ladies from the community!  We were elated to meet an expecting couple, and we...

Extra Extra Read all about it!

We are so thankful to our amazing media partners in the community for helping GiGi's spread positive Down syndrome Awareness! Check out some of the recent interviews below! The Keiths shared their voices on WHO TV Channel 13 News  promoting the GiGi's Playhouse 2017 'i have a voice' Vintage Circus Gala! Check...

Our First Mom’s Night Out of 2017 was a Blast!

      We had so much fun at our Mom's Night Out on Thursday, and we can't wait to host another one on March 23rd! We started off the night with some appetizers, wine, and conversation. We wanted to create a night where moms could have a moment for themselves, spark their...
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A drive for volunteering #wishesdelivered

A Drive for Volunteering To her customers, Shelly Perez-Dickson is the face of UPS. But to the kids at GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in Des Moines, Iowa, she is a beloved teacher and a close friend. For several years, Shelly has volunteered at GiGi’s mentoring children with...

Join us for a Friendsgiving Brunch and Open Play!

We want to thank all of our families for making GiGi's a special, loving, place where everyone belongs! We are so thankful that YOU are a part of our life- it's a gift to know YOU! We hope you'll join us as we celebrate our friendship with play and brunch on...