Participant Spotlight: Veronica and Kamila
Finding your community can be a journey. You want to find the people who have shared your experiences or who can offer guidance and support. Veronica was on that journey with Kamila when I met her. People say things happen for a reason, and I believe they do. I was...
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH — PROVIDING THE RUNWAY FOR ACCEPTANCE! We’ve all been there before — we walk into a room, and for whatever reason, it feels like all eyes are on us. For most of us, this is a fleeting feeling, but for individuals with Down syndrome, this is...
The Parachute
As a child, you are learning and experiencing everything for the first time. Every surface, every shape, every color, every texture, everything is new and exciting. It can also be a bit scary. I will share a story about a young participant coming to our Houston Playhouse. He is seven...
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Ariel Siros
Ariel Siros serves as the Assistant Banking Center Manager at B1 Bank. On Tuesdays, she dedicates her time to supporting two signature programs, Fantastic Friends and Gratitude Committee. Her commitment continues on Wednesdays when she volunteers at GiGi's Kitchen. Ariel's journey of volunteerism began at GiGi's Playhouse Houston during the...
Community Partners: Garvin Exteriors
The Honer family with the Garvin family, owners of our community partner-Garvin Exterior Garvin Exteriors, a leading roofing company serving Cypress, Texas, and the Houston area, is proud to announce its partnership with GiGi's Playhouse Houston, an organization dedicated to changing the way the world views Down syndrome and promoting acceptance...
Best of All Bobby Verdiguel
Bobby Verdiguel has been an incredible presence at GiGi's Playhouse Houston for over a year, actively engaging in an array of exciting programs like Fantastic Friends, GiGiFit, GiGiKitchen Adult, and the invigorating world of yoga and dance. Witnessing his transformation has been nothing short of remarkable, as he has blossomed...
Demystifying Becoming a Literacy Tutor
WE NEED YOU!! Our Summer 2023 tutoring session will kick off in July and we are expecting a high number of applications from our families. Our tutor applications for the Summer 2023 session are OPEN until June 21st! The Summer session runs from July 3rd - August 11th. Tutors and...
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones is a senior at University of Houston, and is graduating this May with a degree in public health and a minor in education. Aaron started as an intern at GiGi’s for his university program this spring semester, and is leading the Destination Discovery program every week on Saturdays!...
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Lucia Watler
What about the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse appeals to you, personally?A place that is striving to create global acceptance for all is something that I can really get behind because no person should ever be treated different for who they are or what they look like. What do you love...
A New Life
I never did picture my life changing drastically like it did in 2020. It was as if my life did a whole 360, without me even knowing it. I never pictured being the legal guardian of my little sister Sandy Villarreal, who has Down syndrome. I thought my mom would still be with...
Appreciative of Our Passionate Volunteers
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, we are always appreciative of our volunteers; however, this month it is fitting to send out a BIG shout out to ALL our fabulous, passionate, and dedicated volunteers! Without our volunteers, we would not have the purposeful programs for our participants to attend at...