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New GiGi U students for Fall 2020<\/p><\/div>\n
On Monday, September 28, four students gathered in GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne, marking the start of the Fall 2020 GiGi U semester. These students will strive towards independence during this 15-week instructional program.\u00a0GiGi U is designed to motivate adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential in the real world while developing their abilities in the areas of wellness, communication and career skills. The skills gained at GiGi U will resonate with graduates throughout their careers.<\/p>\n
As a signature Career Development program at GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne, GiGi U helps individuals achieve the following goals:<\/p>\n
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- Increase self-confidence:<\/b>\u202f \u202fThe GiGi U\u202flearning program is an environment where each lesson promotes communication skills, self-advocacy and personal accountability\u202fthrough goal-oriented activities.\u202f These activities help to significantly improve meaningful family, friends and community interactions as well as further promoting independence.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Increase career skill knowledge:\u00a0<\/b>\u202f\u202fGiGi U teaches students appropriate and proactive work place behaviors by applying best practices in areas of customer service and team building.<\/li>\n
- Increase personal wellness:\u00a0<\/b>\u202f\u202fThrough physical fitness, nutrition and safety awareness training, GiGi U students gain a stronger sense of the importance of remaining active and making choices that promote and sustain a lifelong healthy lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Increased \u202fquality of life:<\/b> \u202fGiGi U provides a hands on, multi-sensory learning environment to help students live a well-rounded, healthy, confident and fully enriching life.\u202f Depending less on those around them and by promoting their voice, students improved their presence inside and out of the GiGi\u2019s community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
After graduation, our GiGi U students will continue their career development in our Genesis Health Bar. Ultimately, our goal is to help our graduate secure meaningful volunteer and employment opportunities with organizations outside of GiGi’s Playhouse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nHow can you help?<\/strong><\/div>\nOur GiGi U program is supported by the generosity of our community and volunteers. We hope you’ll consider helping our GiGi U graduates and Genesis Health Bar Ambassadors by:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nVolunteering: <\/strong>Give your time to assist in the GiGi U classroom. Register online<\/a> to be considered for GiGi U volunteer opportunities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEmploying an Ambassador:<\/strong> Following graduation and an internship in GiGi U, our graduates will look for career opportunities in Fort Wayne. We’re always looking for placement opportunities for our GiGi U graduates. To partner with GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Wayne, please contact Mandy Drakeford<\/a>.<\/div>\n - Increase career skill knowledge:\u00a0<\/b>\u202f\u202fGiGi U teaches students appropriate and proactive work place behaviors by applying best practices in areas of customer service and team building.<\/li>\n