Dear Friends and Families,
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we strive to live the meaning of “Best of All” each day. Every challenge mastered and every new skill learned is recognized and celebrated!
For example, Otho is a newer participant to our playhouse. Otho's mom, Alejandra, said since they began programs at GiGi's, Otho has started weight bearing and standing against a wall, babbling, experimenting with more vocal sounds, and signing words. We both had tears in our eyes as she shared how lost she felt upon arriving in a new state, with an infant with Down syndrome, and no knowledge of where to go for support. Alejandra said she wants everyone to know the impact GiGi’s has had on her family and how grateful they are for these programs. She also is helping us welcome more Spanish speaking families to our Playhouse, through translating, orienting, and assisting with programs. We are so proud of Otho and thrilled to have his beautiful family in our community!!
Another example would be Rory! This fall was Rory’s first experience in GiGi’s Kitchen Adult. He wasted no time showing off his new cooking skills at home. Rory has made his family some pretty tasty recipes, like Buffalo Chicken dip and Breakfast Pizza. With the Buffalo Chicken Dip (his favorite thing to make), he helped read the recipe and measure the ingredients. Rory used an electric mixer to whip everything together before placing it in the oven. He turned the oven dial to the correct temperature, and set the timer so his dip wouldn’t burn.
Another day, Rory helped make breakfast pizza. He rolled out the dough and sprinkled all the ingredients on top, making sure they were evenly distributed. He practiced oven safety using mitts on both hands, and again, set the oven temperature and timer to complete his dish.
George spent his summer coming to GiGi;s Playhouse Detroit for speech therapy. He made HUGE strides and surprised everyone with how fast his speech progressed. He is now saying 2-3 word sentences and will repeat most things. The journey of having a kiddo who doesn’t speak means that we don’t ever really know if or when these things are going to happen, and we’re along for the ride to celebrate at every moment. But if you told us at this time last year what George was doing today, I don’t know that i would believe you. I cry every time I think about how much this little human has accomplished and I am so, so lucky.
Thank you, GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit, for giving us the opportunity to watch our bug grow.
Because of remarkable people like you, families like Otho’s, Rory’s, and George’s all have a place right here in metro-Detroit where they belong. We are here to celebrate, challenge, empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout their lifetime.
As a 99% volunteer-run organization, we can only make this change in the world together. GiGi's Playhouse Detroit is the ONLY Down Syndrome Achievement Center in the state of Michigan offering FREE therapeutic and educational-based programming. Between in-person and virtual programming, we are serving families from all over our great state. Please use the link or QR code below to help support our mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome.
Gifts in all amounts help individuals with Down syndrome.
Your Investment
$50 provides literacy tutoring for two lessons for Tracy, age 7, who loves to read.
$100 supports the cost of the LMNOP infant program where new mom Jackie comes with her baby to learn sign language and learns that she isn’t alone.
$250 supports Jackson to participate in speech and language programming, helping him improve his speech clarity and problem-solving skills.
$500 enables outreach to employers and schools to build acceptance through understanding.
$1,000 allows Quincy and her best friend to build healthy eating habits, food preparation skills, and social skills in our GiGi’s Kitchen program.
$5,000 enables ten participants to build strength and confidence in our 12 week GiGiFIT
You could also choose to sponsor our annual fundraising Gala “The Lucky Few Have a Few” which will be on March 20, 2025 at Petruzzello’s in Troy. You can choose to sponsor here: https://one.bidpal.net/detroitluckyfew2025/ticketing
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your friendship and your financial support, and for continuing to believe in our mission.