{"id":4075,"date":"2017-05-19T14:33:12","date_gmt":"2017-05-19T19:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/?p=4075"},"modified":"2026-01-09T12:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:24:45","slug":"hugs-mugs-mentor-spotlight-patrick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/blog\/hugs-mugs\/hugs-mugs-mentor-spotlight-patrick","title":{"rendered":"Hugs &amp; Mugs Mentor Spotlight | Patrick"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>hugs + mugs is caf\u00e9 and retail store run by our gigi u graduates, now referred to as \u201cinterns\u201d along with our support staff. each will manage different aspects of a real life retail environment.<\/h3>\n<p>Hugs &amp; Mugs creates gifts from the heart: personalized mugs printed with artwork and photos-your design or ours-you choose! \u00a0Adults from GiGi University are involved in running ALL aspects of the business-design, production, food prep, baking, packaging, and customer service. During the 18 week career training program, interns will continue developing the skills newly learned at GiGi U.\u00a0 Each will manage different aspects of a real life retail environment- from managing money transactions, to customer service, to inventory control, to fulfilling online orders, safe food handling skills, employee training and more.\u00a0 Support staff also provides assistance in job preparation skills via mock interviews.\u00a0 Throughout this internship, interns receive individualized, hands-on training applicable to a variety of work experiences through community engagement which leads to achievement of goals through work or volunteer experiences. Various volunteer engagements are made available for future career opportunities for communities to support the overall broadening of Down syndrome awareness through engagement efforts.<\/p>\n<h3>Today we want to introduce you to Patrick one of our rockstar GiGi U graduates &amp; Hugs + Mugs Mentors.<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4076\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2017\/05\/Patrick-1024x731.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2017\/05\/Patrick-1024x731.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2017\/05\/Patrick-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2017\/05\/Patrick-768x548.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Hi, my name is Patrick, I am 27 years old. \u00a0I am a mentor at Hugs + Mugs. I like to hang out with my friends, work at Hugs + Mugs, and go swimming. I also like taking my dog for walks outside. I am a happy person!<\/p>\n<p>I liked being a part of \u00a0GiGi University, I worked hard at completing my homework and always doing my #bestofall.<\/p>\n<p>One of my favorite days at GiGi U was when the fireman came to class. He came and visited us. He talked about the firetruck, and ladders. It was great to learn about that!<\/p>\n<p>After I was done at GiGi U I moved into working at Hugs + Mugs, I really like learning how to use the register the most! \u00a0The vanilla shakes are my favorite thing to order at Hugs + Mugs. Yum!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3346\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2014\/02\/IMG_1402.jpg\" alt=\"GiGi's Playhouse \" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2014\/02\/IMG_1402.jpg 600w, https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2014\/02\/IMG_1402-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Patrick is an amazing example of Generation G, when extra help is needed in the store he is the first to say &#8220;Yes&#8221;! He greats all people with a friendly smile and a warm &#8220;welcome to Hugs &amp; Mugs&#8221;. \u00a0We are all thankful to have Patrick on the Hug + Mugs team! \u00a0HE takes great pride in preparing online orders to go out! Next time you are looking for a special gift please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shopgigisplayhouse.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">online store<\/a>. \u00a0Your purchase not only helps develop Patrick&#8217;s (and his friends) skills, but also every dollar goes directly back into Adult Programing at GiGi&#8217;s Playhouse.<\/p>\n<p>Looking for a fun way to support Patrick and his friends? Join us for the 2017 5k &amp; Dash for Down Syndrome on June 11th! \u00a0Learn more HERE!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-4053\" src=\"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/files\/2017\/04\/gen-g-heart-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"GiGi's Playhouse\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>educate.inspire.believe.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>hugs + mugs is caf\u00e9 and retail store run by our gigi u graduates, now referred to as \u201cinterns\u201d along with our support staff. each will manage different aspects of a real life retail environment. Hugs &amp; Mugs creates gifts from the heart: personalized mugs printed with artwork and photos-your design or ours-you choose! \u00a0Adults&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":4076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hugs-mugs","category-gigi-u"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4075","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4075"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4075\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4075"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4075"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/hugsandmugs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4075"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}