Volunteer Spotlight: Paige Bradley
This month we're showcasing the fabulous Paige Bradley! Paige began leading Art Explosion in the fall of 2023. A mother of 2 sweet girls, Paige stays active by substitute teaching, volunteering in her daughters' classrooms, coaching soccer, and a leading a girl scout troop. It's a wonder she has time...
Ryan’s “Best of All”
It’s 9 am on a Saturday morning at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit and 7-year-old Ryan is in his seat, ready for Leaps & Bounds to begin. This program, geared toward 4 – 7-year-olds and focused on school success, involves many routines, such as checking in, discussing the calendar and weather, transitioning...
Volunteer Spotlight: Becca Mansfield
Allow us to introduce the wonderful Becca Mansfield! Becca began volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit in the fall of 2023. She started by supporting two programs for youth and adults, and within weeks asked, “How do I become a program leader?” Becca now leads GiGi's Kitchen Teen and continues to...
Volunteer Spotlight: Fran Roth
GiGiFIT Infant Leaders Fran (left), Meghan (right) This month it is our absolute pleasure to recognize an incredible woman who has donated her time and talent to the youngest members of our community, since 2019! There couldn't be a more qualified person to co-lead our GiGiFIT Infant program. Fran is...
Luke’s “Best of All”
In case you missed it, Detroit's 25-year-old self-advocate, board member, and GiGi's Ambassador, Luke Tyrrell, had the honor of introducing GiGi's founder, Nancy Gianni, to hundreds of constituents at the 2024 Leadership Conference in Chicago. He began by sharing some of his personal journey as an individual with Down syndrome,...
GiGi’s Annual Leadership Conference 2024
65 Cities. 5 Days. 2 Countries. 1 Voice Last week, GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. hosted their Annual Leadership Conference at the Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. With over 60 Playhouses in the U.S. and 2 in Mexico, this gathering is an incredibly valuable meeting-of-the-minds. It begins with a tour of...
Welcome to the Team, Samantha!
We have news! After nearly six years of significant growth and sustainability, we are thrilled to be in the position of expanding our team of staff members. Our wonderful Site Manager of the last 2.5 years, Bethany Wells, is moving into the position of Marketing Coordinator, and will now support...
Volunteer Spotlight: Shannon Gierlach
We are honored to highlight a very special volunteer who has taken the reigns of one of our newest programs and made it soar! Back in December 2023, Shannon Gierlach answered a facebook post calling for someone to lead GiGi’s Kitchen Adult. Although she had no prior experience with the...
Rory’s “Best of All”
GiGi’s Kitchen Adult has become one of our participants’ favorite programs since its launch in January 2024. We love to see how excited everyone is to participate each Thursday, and it's even more thrilling when they take their enthusiasm home to practice what they learn with their family! This fall...
Sister Love: Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Guest blogger: Elisa Kim, age 16 I have a younger sister with Down syndrome. More often than not, people think having a relative with Down syndrome is a burden or a challenge. This is not the case at all! Having a sister with Down syndrome is one of the most...
Volunteer Spotlight: Lynn Duncan
This September marked the 3 year anniversary of Lynn Duncan volunteering at GiGi's Playhouse Detroit! Previously an elementary school teacher, Lynn lives near the Playhouse and simply happened upon it one day. She inquired about ways to get involved and has provided weekly Literacy tutoring ever since! In her free...
Down Syndrome Awareness Month – Providing the Runway for Acceptance
Guest blogger: GiGi's Playhouse, Inc. We’ve all been there before — we walk into a room, and for whatever reason, we sense that all eyes are on us. For most of us this is a fleeting feeling, but for people with Down syndrome and their loved ones, it's often a...