World 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…

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Fundraising 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…

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Challenge 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…

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Cooking Up Acceptance

At GiGi’s Playhouse, we empower individuals with Down syndrome to be the best version of themselves. When Kristen came to the Playhouse and started talking about her wish to volunteer, teach younger children with Down syndrome, and her enjoyment of cooking, we knew she would be the perfect fit as a co-lead for our new…

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From Health Bar to Barber Shop: A Life-Changing Journey

Meet Nick! Nick is a 2020 GiGi University graduate and has been honing his career skills in GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar ever since. Through his time at Genesis, Nick has shown that he shines brightest when he gets to help children. He will quickly greet our youngest customers and offer them toys to keep them…

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Celebrate Differences Through Reading

Playhouse Ambassador, Cameron, and our Executive Director were honored to be asked to read at Covington Elementary’ s Read Across America event on March 2nd. For us, it’s an easy choice when it comes to reading a book. Our favorite go-to is Different – A Great Thing To Be by Heather Avis. The book not…

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A Journey Back to Where We Started: Meet Our Executive Director

I started my journey with the Playhouse in the Fall of 2015, but for the real story of when my journey with GiGi’s Playhouse started, you can go here. I led the Playhouse through opening in January of 2016 through the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020. With a bustling Playhouse and the hopes…

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Healthy Eats with Sweet Rewards

Are you finding yourself looking for a fast and healthy food option? Luckily, GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar is now open and ready to help you on your journey to a healthier you! GiGi’s Genesis Health Bar is the first of its kind and opened its doors on December 17, 2018. It is the latest addition…

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Take Me Out to The Ball Game

Despite the frigid temperatures in Indiana, it is baseball season! Our local baseball team, Fort Wayne TinCaps, are kicked off their season this past Saturday, and if you were able to attend, you may have seen a familiar face! To say that Playhouse Ambassador, Sam, is a TinCaps’ number one fan would be an understatement.…

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From Student to Master

David is a man on a mission and won’t stop at anything until he gets to where he wants to go. David was one of the first participants to graduate from GiGi University and hasn’t stopped working hard to accomplish his goal of becoming a martial arts instructor. He began taking classes with Sensei Basche…

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