Posts by Samantha Masserant
Finding His Voice: Celebrating Melvin’s Growth Through Speech Therapy
At GiGi’s Playhouse, every milestone is worth celebrating, and we are thrilled to share some of the incredible progress Melvin has made through speech therapy! Over the course of his therapy sessions, Melvin worked hard on developing stronger breath support and learning voicing techniques to help him project his voice more clearly and confidently. Through…
Read MoreA Parent’s Guide to Summer Success for Children with Down Syndrome
Summer is a joyful time filled with sunshine, family activities, and new experiences. For children with Down syndrome, however, the transition away from the structure of the school year can bring both excitement and uncertainty. At GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit, we know that individuals with Down syndrome learn best with a balance of routine, encouragement, and meaningful social…
Read MoreWhy Being a Donor at GiGi’s Playhouse Matters
Individuals with Down syndrome and their families do not receive equal access to opportunity. Although life expectancy, inclusion, and awareness have improved over time, families still struggle to access consistent, affordable, and specialized support. GiGi’s Playhouse bridges this gap, and donors make that work possible. Every gift powers programs that strengthen education, communication, health, social…
Read More2025 Impact Recap: A Year of Growth, Community, and Belief in Ability
As we reflect on 2025, one thing is clear: this year was powered by community and by the belief that individuals with Down syndrome can achieve extraordinary things when given opportunity and support. Because of donors’ generosity, volunteers’ dedication, and families’ trust, GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit continued to expand access to free, life-changing programs for individuals…
Read MoreThank You, Sujay: Celebrating an Incredible Internship Journey
As Sujay’s internship with GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate his growth, contributions, and the lasting impact he has made within our Playhouse community. During his time with us, Sujay embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute. His internship was filled with meaningful skill-building—from practicing…
Read MoreThe Night That Keeps Growing: A Decade of Rock for Charity and the Heart Behind It
It started small in 2014—just a group of Beverly Hills neighbors who wanted to throw a great party and uplift a cause that hit close to home. Sandra Hamady and Kari Silcox staged the first event in beloved Beverly Park, complete with picnic tables and plastic tablecloths. They convinced Sandra’s husband, Mark Hamady, to sing…
Read MoreA Summer of Learning and Fun with Avery
This summer, Avery B.’s learning sessions with Doug B. took on a new twist—one that mixed math with fun, creativity, and hands-on experiences. When Avery, Avery’s family, and Doug planned for the summer semester, they agreed to keep things lighter while still reinforcing math skills in unique and engaging ways. One highlight has been an…
Read MoreGrant’s Best of All
Best of All: Grant 🎣✨ Grant’s Best of All moment shines through in the way he learns best—by moving, interacting, and having fun! One of our favorite activities together has been Fishing for Sight-Words. With a smile on his face and lots of enthusiasm, Grant “casts his line,” fishes out sight-words, reads each one aloud,…
Read MoreMeet Lexi: Our New GiGi University Instructor!
Welcome Lexi We are so excited to welcome Alexis “Lexi” to the GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit family as our new GiGi University Instructor! Lexi brings a wealth of experience, passion, and energy to our Playhouse, and we cannot wait for our participants and families to get to know her. A Lifelong Passion for Advocacy Lexi’s journey…
Read MoreBest of All: Kate’s Growing Confidence in Literacy Tutoring
At GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit, we celebrate every milestone, big or small, with our Best of All moments. These moments highlight the perseverance, growth, and joy our participants show as they continue to challenge themselves and achieve new goals. This month, we’re celebrating Kate! Kate walks into every literacy tutoring session with excitement, eager to play…
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