Posts by Christine Hewitt
Our GiGi Prep Journey – Three Weeks In
Three weeks into our GiGi Prep pilot program, participants are building foundational skills for their career readiness journey. From day one, we’ve focused on creating connections and making learning interactive and fun. [IMAGE 1: GiGi Prep participants attending a lesson in Club G, with materials spread out on tables as they learn new skills] What…
Read MoreHow My Brother Brought Me to GiGi’s
At the beginning of 2025, I saw a news coverage about an organization called GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster that provides programs for individuals of all ages with Down syndrome. I immediately knew this was something I needed to check out. When I was 6 years old, my little brother, Benjamin, was born. He had Down syndrome. As a child/sibling, that…
Read MoreMaking a Splash at Our Cool Party Programs!
For the past two years, our participants and volunteers have been making a splash and having a great time at our Cool Party Programs! For our Cool Party, we set up water games, a slip-n-slide, sprinklers, splash pad, water balloons and various water activities outside in the grass next to the Playhouse. Participants are encouraged…
Read MoreDeloitte’s Impact Day: Building Brighter Futures Together
On June 6, 2025, Deloitte celebrated its annual Impact Day—a special occasion when thousands of Deloitte professionals nationwide step away from their daily routines to give back to their communities. This firm-wide day of service is dedicated to making a meaningful difference by supporting nonprofit organizations, schools, and local initiatives through hands-on projects and skills-based…
Read MoreGiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge 2025
On June 1, 2025, our community came together for our GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge, which is a 5K, Dash for Down syndrome, and Inspirational Walk to raise money for GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster! It is our only peer-to-peer fundraiser that we also do with the other 63+ Playhouses across the network in the spring/summer each year. This…
Read MoreBrittany’s Bibs for Babies
Brittany loves babies a lot! She also wanted to do something really cool for her most recent birthday. For her birthday, she had the idea to bring blank bibs into GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster for her friends at Achievers to decorate and then give to the babies at GiGi’s. It was a really unique activity for…
Read MoreBringing Amina Grace Speech and Language Program to Lancaster
In a video, Amina Grace’s parents shared that it is their goal to have the Amina Grace Speech and Language program running in every Playhouse across the network. They started the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program after their daughter, Amina Grace, age 5, tragically passed away. This was one way they felt they could…
Read MoreIntegrating STEM in purposeful programming for those with Down syndrome
We are grateful to the Steinman Foundation and the Lancaster STEM Alliance for the STEM Mini Grants that we have received for our Playhouse. With the grant money, we were able to integrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into our purposeful programming at GiGi’s for those of all ages with Down syndrome. At least…
Read MoreA Look Into Our Weekly Achievers Program
The GiGi’s Achievers program empowers adults with Down syndrome with purposeful activities to ensure continued learning and fulfillment of life. This program teaches and promotes communication, self-awareness, independence, health and wellness through community engagement. Each lesson will provide participants with “hands on” learning experiences in a naturally occurring environment. Our Achievers participants meet every Monday…
Read MoreBest Buddies Can Be Found Anywhere
In 2023, I attended the Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Elizabethtown College with the Elizabethtown College Dance Team. After leading a workout dance, I explored all the different tables that were set up by various community members and organizations. At some point during the event, a little girl named Bella asked me to play with…
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