A Note from our Executive Director: Passion, Purpose, and Positivity

Reflecting on the incredible journey we have had at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo; passion, purpose, and positivity have been the driving forces behind our success. As we move forward into Fall 2024, these values continue to shape our vision and actions, inspiring us to reach new heights. 

The dedication and enthusiasm of our small but mighty Fargo team has been truly remarkable. Courtney and Lexi have been instrumental in infusing every aspect of our programs with energy and purpose. Their unwavering commitment to empowering our volunteers, participants and their families has created an environment where challenges are met with creativity and confidence.  

In reflecting on the past months, I am reminded the power of asking, “How can we do better?” and “What is the next big expectation we can set?” These questions drive us to constantly innovate and elevate the experience for everyone at the Playhouse. The positive impact we have witnessed is a testament to the hard work and passion of our team, volunteers, and participants.  

August was a month filled with passion at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo, as our partnerships flourished, our impactful programs shined, and the development of GiGi’s on the Go. One of the standout events was our collaboration with Essentia Health for the second annual Teddy Bear Clinic & Friends. This event brought together over 35 dedicated team members from various specialties, including Pediatrics, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Imaging, and Ear, Nose & Throat, all united with a common goal – to alleviate the fear of visiting the doctor.  

The Teddy Bear Clinic provided a safe and fun environment where 14 children attended, each bringing their beloved teddy bears for a check-up at GiGi’s Clinic. The atmosphere was filled with smiles and reassurance as these kids learned that visiting the doctor doesn’t have to be scary. A special shoutout to Claire, one of our school-age participants, who greeted every attendee with a smile and exuded confidence as a champion patient. Her warmth and enthusiasm set the tone for the entire event. A heartfelt thank you to Essentia Health for your unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our families and community. This partnership truly embodies the passion and purpose that drives everything we do at GiGi’s Playhouse.  

We are deeply honored to receive support from the FM Area Foundation through their grant program in 2024, which has been instrumental in advancing our programs at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo. This month, we were thrilled to be announced as one of the 25 charities featured in their Caring Catalog at their summer celebration. It was an afternoon filled with celebration, recognizing the hard work of all the incredible charities that contribute to the well-being of our community.  

Being part of the Caring Catalog is a testament to the impact we are making together, and we could not be more excited about what is to come. This year, our focus is on “Look what I can do!” a theme that perfectly aligns with our commitment to showcasing the abilities and achievements of our participants. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved in this year’s Caring Catalog and help us to continue to offer FREE programs to individuals with Down syndrome and their families! 

Learning how to read opens doors for individuals with Down syndrome in school, at home, and in the community. This August, we wrapped up our eighth week of Backpack Buddies, a program inspired by Kristin and Lexi to foster a love of reading at home and as a family. Thanks to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Program grant, we had the amazing opportunity to impact 36 families this summer. This program went beyond just reading the assigned book, it included family activities that helped answer the questions of who, what, when, where, and why. We are excited to bring this program back every summer to continue making a difference in our families’ lives. A heartfelt thank you to Kristin and Lexi for all their hard work in making this program happen, especially with just one week of prep time. To read more about this program, check out this blog post.

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our research and development for GiGi’s on the Go, as we have secured our first pop-up location pilot for Fall 2024 in Oakes, North Dakota. The warm welcome we received from the Oakes community has been remarkable, and we are excited to bring our free programs to families in rural areas who might not otherwise have access to these vital resources. If you are in a rural community and interested in learning more about our Oakes pop-up program, we encourage you to reach out to the Playhouse as we would love to connect with you! 

In addition to expanding our reach, we remain committed to being strong advocates for individuals with Down syndrome and building accepting communities. One of the highlights of this past month was the incredible experience of hosting an educational in-service at Lidgerwood Elementary School. During this session, Kristin and Lexi shared learning methodologies designed to support inclusion with the school, focusing on reading, math, and positive behavior strategies to best support two of their students with Down syndrome. We also provided educational resources to assist the SPED teachers, and we look forward to standing alongside this community as they work to bring out the best of all in every student.  

As we reflect on the past months filled with passion, purpose, and positivity, we are eagerly looking forward to an impactful Fall 2024. The momentum we have built together is just the beginning and we are excited to see how our community will continue to grow and thrive.  

Our programs are free to families, but they are not free to run. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our supporters. Your donations are crucial in providing these opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We deeply appreciate your continued support, which allows us to keep offering these life-changing programs.  

With the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Family Festival just around the corner and we are so excited. We have seen the social buzz from our teams, and I want to challenge each of you to join us in this celebration of acceptance. Think like Theo, who is eating all the cupcake calories now so he can burn them off during the 5k fun run and one-mile inspirational walk. Together, let’s celebrate acceptance and continue to make a difference! 

Always Advocating and Celebrating – Heather Lorenzen