Here 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 to grow produce for GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar and for GiGi’s Kitchen programs. Additionally, students developed recipes for use in GiGi’s Kitchen programs.

One of the biggest takeaways from our experience last year was the growth in understanding Down syndrome, empathy, communication skills, and the genuine friendships that were formed. Our participants learned how to plant and nurture plants in the Grow Studio. Our participants also felt a sense of inclusion and value during the entire process.

When we were approached to be a Think Tank partner for the 2024-2025 school year, we jumped at the chance and came up with a fresh idea that would still utilize the Grow Studio. On August 23rd, Playhouse Ambassadors and our Executive Director visited Amp Lab to teach students about GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne, Down syndrome, and our vision for growing flowers. We are partnering with dozens of students at Amp Lab to grow flowers to use in bouquets, table decorations, and smoothie bouquets for all occasions!

Participants had a blast connecting with the students and explaining what the Playhouse means to them. “I feel safe, and I have friends. It’s hard for me to make friends, but now I have friends because of GiGi’s.” Another participant shared the handful of programs she attends on a weekly basis and the Amp Lab students were floored to find out so many programs were running at no cost to the 436+ families we serve. We are constantly amazed by that as well! We are so excited to grow in so many ways with our friends over the next couple of months with our friends from Amp Lab. Here we grow again!