Posts by htonak
Building More Confident and Qualified Health Professionals
Our commitment to bringing purposeful programs at no cost to our families remains strong, and we have grown to provide an equally beneficial opportunity for future health professionals to gain hands-on experience working with individuals with a diagnosis. The impact that these opportunities have made and continue to have on future medical professionals is changing…
Read MoreHere We Grow Again
A new school year has begun and here we grow again with our friends and collaborators at Amp Lab! Last year, we had the honor of being chosen to be a Think Tank Challenge partner for the Grow Studio. We collaborated with over a dozen high school students from Fort Wayne Community Schools in 2023-2024…
Read MoreGet Down for Down Syndrome
On August 4th, 2024 families and friends gathered at The Lodge at Camp Red Cedar to Get Down for Down Syndrome, our local Playhouse’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge. The GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge is both an in-person and virtual event taking place across the country at GiGi’s Playhouse locations. Each location hosts various GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenges consisting of fitness-based challenges and…
Read MoreA Work of Heart
3Rivers is a banking institution with their headquarters in Fort Wayne, IN. The employees at 3Rivers have graciously donated their time to pour into our GiGi University program for several years. Employees come to sessions and educate our GiGi U students on money wellness. These sessions include going over wants vs. needs, banking, basic budgeting…
Read MoreMore Than a Lemonade Stand
Fort Wayne FC (FWFC) was founded in 2019 and is an American soccer club based in Fort Wayne. The ownership group for Fort Wayne FC is comprised of successful business owners and former soccer players who live, or have lived, in Fort Wayne. FWFC’s mission is to enrich our entire city through the beautiful game-…
Read MoreDon’t Stop Achieving
When research came out that individuals with Down syndrome have a 95% chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease by the age of 65, as opposed to the 12% chance of the general population, staff and families at GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne knew something needed to happen. With the help of local recreational therapist from F.L.O.W. Recreation, LLC, we were able to offer…
Read MoreWorld Down Syndrome Day Rocks!
3/21 marks World Down Syndrome Day every year! The triplicate of the 21st chromosome (3/21) defines Down syndrome. This year, our Playhouse packed in so many moments of advocacy and celebration in one week. 2024 World Down Syndrome Day rocked! Monday kicked off with the filming of INsight on 21Alive with Tony Betton Jr. Bethany…
Read MoreFundraising With Purpose
Erica, a senior at Purdue Fort Wayne University majoring in Human Services is one of our current GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne interns. For her capstone project, Erica organized a fundraiser with purpose. I have been fortunate to witness the immense effort that goes on behind the scenes to ensure all programs are always free and…
Read MoreChallenge Accepted!
GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne is ecstatic to announce that we are a Think Tank Challenge partner with the incredible Amp Lab at Electric Works students! The challenge is to grow produce that can be used in GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar and come up with recipes to add into GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar or our growing…
Read MoreBallet Is for Everyone
In 2019, GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne was growing, and our strategic plan included pushing more into our community, after all, our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome, and that was not going to happen if we continued to stay within our colorful Playhouse walls. After several discussions and planning meetings…
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