GiGi’s Career Development!

Most people strive for a successful career from the time they are very young. Unfortunately, for those with a developmental disability, the work opportunities are much more slim. According to The Arc, only 15% of people with DD (developmental disabilities) are currently employed and there are three main areas that need improvement.

  • The transition from school to work. Employers often do not continue their relationships after young adults age out of the high school system.
  • Adequate transportation. The suburbs of Chicago use PACE, but there is a shortage of drivers, which can often cause delays.
  • The ability of the company to make necessary modifications for their employee.

Of course, none of these issues have anything to do with individuals with Down syndrome not being able to perform a job! GiGi’s Playhouse is taking action to assist our adults with gainful employment. In 2014 we launched GiGi’s University, the first ever career development program, to provide adults with Down syndrome with the needed skills to gain employment. GiGi University is focused on Healthy U, Confident U, and Whole U.

Healthy U is key for building the stamina and strength needed to work. Individuals with Down syndrome have low muscle tone, which puts them at a disadvantage for having enough strength to complete a full day’s work. Our goal is to educate the GiGi U students on living a healthy life. We accomplish this with daily food journals, daily nutrition lessons, and daily fitness! We also incorporate eating a healthy lunch and healthy lifestyles during every session.

Confident U is an essential ingredient in any successful career! We use a variety of team building activities to foster communication and build the confidence of every student. We remove the barriers, so the students can visualize their success.

Whole U brings the program together! “Best of All” is one’s ability to improve a little every day. If today, you were only able to do 5 pushups, tomorrow work on 6. Our goal is to appreciate and celebrate every day while bringing forward your best self!

The next step after GiGi U was a place for our students to practice what they had been taught. In January 2015 we opened Hugs & Mugs, the first studio café run by adults with Down syndrome! While the students intern at Hugs & Mugs we are able to provide a safe launching ground for a career and we can see how interns apply the principles from the classroom to the work environment. Once the students have successfully progressed, they are ready to be begin the search for employment!

 

GiGi’s Playhouse is committed to helping people with Down syndrome throughout their lifetimes to gain the most skills possible and the most rewarding lives!

For more information about our career development programs, visit our website here: https://gigisplayhouse.org/hoffmanestates/gigi-u

-Mary Jo Shepherd

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