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...
Happy 6 Years of Purposeful Programming
Six years ago, on January 11, 2020, we opened GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster. At our Grand Opening celebration, we were joined by Nancy Gianni, Chief Belief Officer and founder of GiGi’s Playhouse in Chicago, Illinois. She shared this about our Lancaster location, Playhouse #48 to open, “This was built by virtual...
Reading to Kindergarteners for Down Syndrome Awareness Month
I am blessed to be the mother of three children, Wesley, Jane, and Judah, and my youngest happens to have Down syndrome. Thinking back to my childhood, I grew up with very limited exposure to other individuals with disabilities. Having a son with Down syndrome has opened my eyes to...
18fore3.21 Supports GiGi’s During Down Syndrome Awareness Month
My husband, David, and I were inspired to start 18fore3.21 after we received a surprise diagnosis of Trisomy 21 for our son, Grayson, when he was eight days old. We received support from family and friends, as well as local Down syndrome organizations. They provided resources and tools to help...
Educator Symposium Watch Party
We just held our seventh Educator Symposium Watch Party at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster and we are celebrating the growth! Over the past four years, twice per year, we have invited representatives from all 16 school districts in Lancaster County, 12 local private schools or outpatient therapy centers, our local IU13...
If You Bring Your Grandparents to GiGi’s
If you bring your grandparents to GiGi’s, they will probably want to sit in the circle with all of your friends. Once they sit with your friends in the circle, they will probably join in by saying their name and their favorite kind of cookie as well. You will offer...
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...
How 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...
Making 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...
Deloitte’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...
GiGiFIT 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...
Brittany’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...