Posts by aflores
Meet Our Intern Jessica
Jessica joins us for her internship from Aurora University. She has been helping in the Career Programs such as Hugs & Mugs, GiGi Prep, and most recently GiGiU. Jessica has been with GiGi’s since August 2022 and will be with us until May 2023. While volunteering in Hugs & Mugs, Jessica spends her time 1:1…
Read MoreHayden living her best life!
Hayden started her journey at age 2 as the youngest child ever to be part of the GiGi’s Literacy program in Hoffman Estates. She then moved to the Deerfield Playhouse when it opened in 2019 and is still a member there. Now at age 16, she is working as a volunteer at the House of…
Read MoreCareer Programs
At the Hoffman Estates Playhouse, we offer progressive career programs to adults 18 and older. The goals of our career programs are to increase self-confidence, increase career skill knowledge, increase personal wellness, and increase the quality of life of our participants. To start off the career programs journey, participants enroll in GiGi Prep. GiGi Prep…
Read MoreGiGi’s is magic!
Hello, my name is Erin Komacki. I have two awesome daughters. Sarah Kate is 9 and Hope who is 6 and has Down syndrome. As a parent of a child with Down syndrome and also an educator myself, I cannot put into words how hard a pandemic can be on our children and Down syndrome community. But…
Read MoreGiGi’s At Home Making An Impact
GiGi’s Playhouse facilitates over 4,400 FREE therapeutic and educational program hours a week at GiGi’s locations across the United States and Mexico. Just because we are physically distant, does not mean you can’t have access to the same purposeful programming that you are accustomed to. The great news is we have two ways for you…
Read MoreSmall act of kindness makes a BIG impact! | Volunteering
I have volunteered at GiGi’s Playhouse for the past couple of years working towards my Girl Scout Gold Award. My experience volunteering has been inspiring. I spent countless hours creating literacy packets for the students in the tutoring program. I have been able to witness my simple task of creating books being put to use…
Read MoreShe’s got a lot to say, and now we’re hearing it!
“We have been so impressed with Grace’s speech progress. She is now communicating with us using three or more words and her clarity has greatly improved! It’s amazing the doors that have been opened now that she can voice her opinion, communicate her needs, and express herself verbally. She’s got a lot to say, and…
Read MoreGiGi’s has made an impact that will last a lifetime
We received our official membership to the Down syndrome community on April 21, 2017. That was the day that our son Hudson entered our lives. Since that very first day, I knew that we were joining a special community full of passionate people. GiGi’s Playhouse is blessed with many of these advocates and has played…
Read MoreFun Indoor Speech Tools!!!
As we hopefully are closing out these colder days of being stuck indoors here are some fun way to refine speech and language skills while confined inside. First up, Buzz Blast. Kids will delight in the timed task of coming up with original answers to four challenges: describing the differences between two pictures in “Check…
Read MoreI’m a proud mama!
“I’m a proud mama! Hope had her 3rd literacy session at GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates. She is improving each day and working hard. Her first session she could only last 15 minutes, today 45 minutes!!!!!! Today she walked into the room and started working right away! She has an amazing tutor, we are so lucky! Thank you GiGi’s…
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