The Power of Purposeful Programs!

 “GiGi’s to me means two things… 1. Community and 2. Hope. It’s a community for us as parents, to learn from, rejoice with, and even cry with if need be. They understand all the joy and challenges that come with raising our beautiful children! It’s also a community for our children, both with Down syndrome…

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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…

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Meet 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 a bonfire, and spending…

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Carolyn 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…

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Determination 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…

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The 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…

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GiGi’s Amina Grace Speech & Language at Home!

Down syndrome free programs

GiGi’s Playhouse Hoffman Estates to proud to serve our families with the FREE 1:1 Amina Grace Speech & Language Program. Yes even during this season where we need to be home, GiGi’s is coming to participants right where they are!  We are seeing big impacts in the lives of our or hard-working participants and are…

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Fall Into Acceptance: Generation G

Generation G is an ongoing journey of global acceptance. Differences do not discriminate. We are all one birth, one accident, one diagnosis or one other defining moment away from being different, or loving someone who may be different. Program achievements at GiGi’s Playhouse are great victories. These achievements do not guarantee lasting acceptance for someone with…

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First Week of GiGi U!

We have a great group of new students this fall for GiGi U! Our session started August 31st and we had an amazing first week! GiGi U is a progressive learning program for adults, comprised of a 12-week instructional program, followed by an internship with the GiGi’s Playhouse Cafe, Hugs & Mugs. GiGi U is designed to…

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We Love Our Volunteers!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to the 12th annual GiGi’s Playhouse 5K Run/Walk/Dash for Down Syndrome last Sunday, June 14th, 2015.  we had almost 2,000 people in attendance, and even with the muddy conditions, we had a fantastic time! The day simply would not have been possible without the hard work…

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