Ideas for Experiencing Fireworks for those with Sensory Sensitivities
Going to see fireworks and participating in July 4th celebrations could be more challenging for families that have a child, teen or adult with sensory sensitivities, due to the crowds, noise, lights and more. Many individuals with Down syndrome also experience sensory sensitivities. Here are some tips when you are...
Spring Showcase, Art Show & Best of All Certificates
We were very excited to host our first Spring Showcase this year, upon the completion of our Spring Programs! Thank you to everyone who came out to support our Spring Showcase, as it was such a fun day and a great success! Our Spring Showcase featured our first Art Show,...
Creating Summer Bucket Lists in Destination Discovery
School’s out for many students! We thought it would be fun to add Destination Discovery during the day every other week for our kids. On the first day, the theme was Summer Bucket List. They started by gathering in a circle, sitting on beach towels and pool floaties. They took...
#GenerationG Award & Volunteer of the Year Award
Each year at our Gala, we have the pleasure of giving out some awards. This year, we were honored to give out two awards. 2026 #GenerationG Award: Elizabethtown College The Generation G Award goes to an individual or an organization who goes above and beyond, embracing acceptance, generosity and kindness....
Finding Connection: Kate’s Story
Kate is a participant at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster. She and her family first learned about GiGi’s through members of their community, who encouraged them to look into it. Although Kate has been attending for less than a year, the impact it has had on both her and her family has...
From Uncertainty to Connection: The Story of Leah and Telaya
At GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster, connection and community play an important role for participants and their families. For two moms, Tori and Bethany, their connection began before even coming to GiGi’s. Since starting together, the connection between them and their daughters has had a substantial and meaningful impact on their lives....
A Night of Learning and Community at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster
GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster hosted a Family Speaker Night, Promoting Positive Behavior, that brought together parents, family members and volunteers for an evening of learning, connection, and encouragement. The featured speaker was Alisha Fitzwater, Programs & Volunteer Manager at GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster, and she brought with her a wealth of expertise...
Teaching to Volunteering: Vicki’s Journey to GiGi’s
Vicki first learned about GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster in a newspaper ad calling for new volunteers. It immediately stood out to her as something that fit what she wanted to do, and she started volunteering right away. Vicki has now been volunteering at GiGi’s for around six months, and is actively...
March is National Reading Month!
To celebrate National Reading Month, we incorporated reading, literacy and Dr. Seuss into many of our free, purposeful programs this month! In Language, Music, ‘N Our Peeps (LMNOP), we made sure to read and explore books every Tuesday morning together, as well as our one Saturday together. We worked on...
Retirement to Volunteering: Paul’s Story
Paul is a volunteer here at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster who was first introduced to the organization through his wife, Heather. After becoming a volunteer herself, Heather encouraged Paul to get involved as well. Although he was unsure, he decided to give it a try. It turned out to be an...
SOUP-er Volunteer Appreciation Event
We had the opportunity to invite our dedicated volunteers to come to GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster for a volunteer appreciation event on February 15, 2026. We chose to celebrate our SOUP-er volunteers by having soup in the afternoon with them! We provided four different kinds of soup from Zig’s Bakery &...
Caitlin DePaul Chosen as Inspirational Keynote Speaker at GiGi’s National Conference
We are so proud of Caitlin, who was chosen to be the Inspirational Keynote Speaker at the 2025 GiGi's National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois. She did an amazing job representing GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster at the conference! She has been part of GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster for over six years, participates...