Free Programs
Community moves together for ACCEPTANCE!
The sun and smiles were shining on June 5th, 2021 when our community came together to celebrate our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge. This was the first time in over a year that GiGi’s had seen some of our participants and their families. From tossing the football with the retired football players of Chicago to hot shot…
Read MoreMeet our new Volunteer Rachel!
We are excited to introduce our new Destination Discovery leader and math tutor Rachel Wartell! Rachael will be entering her junior year of college at the University Of Illinois. Her major is special education and minoring in communication. In her free time Rachel enjoys going to the beach, making s’mores at…
Read MoreCarolyn Crusader’s Crushing Goals!
Carolyn is 5 years old and she is the youngest of our 5 children. Her siblings are Cassandra (26), Jessica (24), Joseph (21) & Christopher (17); needless to say, she is super spoiled and loved!!! It has been while since Carolyn attended programs at GiGi’s Playhouse. She had a hard time with different…
Read MoreDetermination and Hard Work: GiGi Career Development Spring Session Celebrates!
Last month we celebrated our virtual career training programs, GiGi Unniversity, GiGi Prep, and GiGi Professional, with a virtual completion ceremony. Students celebrated their accomplishments throughout the Spring Session with interns from Aurora University. Our Students from the E.P.I.C program (Empowered, Participation, Independence, and Community) really enjoyed their Speech sessions with Dr. Jay and doing…
Read MoreTogether we will reach the top!
Eddie and Caiden are perfect examples of living out GiGi’s Playhouse Core Values. Enthusiastic. Best of All. Get It Done. Believe. In Middle and High School Eddie was in special education classes himself. As a student, Eddie often felt limited and never felt challenged. He pushed himself and set high expectations for himself. Now a…
Read MoreLucy is my “WHY” and Will Forever Be!
Getting a prenatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome is scary. Most obstetricians do not present this diagnosis in a very positive light; my experience was like they were breaking devastating news to me. My husband and I were left feeling frightened, uneducated, and alone. I started to research support groups and immediately found GiGi’s Playhouse. From…
Read MoreThe Best Part About Volunteering At GiGi’s Playhouse!
GiGi’s Playhouse is powered every day by amazing volunteers. People who have the heart and passion to help change the world, and uplift the lives in their communities. Volunteers like Kelly Micholson, who has been volunteering in our Hugs and Mugs Café this year. Kelly was so excited to share a little bit…
Read MoreTogether We Can Do Great Things!
Gina is a senior in the Social Work program at Aurora University. She is recently making the transition from interning at GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley to our Hoffman Estates location! Gina chose GiGi’s Playhouse because she thought the overall goal and purpose was absolutely amazing. She has always wanted to be a part of something…
Read MoreWhat a Blessing to be back!
“What a Blessing it is to be back in the Playhouse” mom Alicia Fox commented after her son Van’s first GiGiFIT Toddler class. February 5th we safely launched In -Person programs back in the Playhouse. Families were excited to attend their favorite programs such as Destination Discovery, GiGiFIT Toddler, GiGiFIT Kids, and LMNOP. “Dominic is…
Read MoreOur volunteers are EPIC!
Meet Sarah Hill! She is one of our dedicated interns at GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates. She is a co-facilitator of the EPIC program, which teaches adults with Down syndrome various skills to boost confidence including vocational, social, and community building skills. She is also a co-coordinator of the Math Tutoring program where she supports the…
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