We LOVE our volunteers!
April is Volunteer Month! “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller Did you know that GiGi’s Playhouse Madison is 99% volunteer run? GiGi’s Playhouse could truly not exist without the generosity of volunteers! Our amazing volunteers donate over 6,500+ hours to the...
World Down Syndrome Day and our Dreamers and Believers
World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) In March, we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on 3/21 in a whole new way – virtually and on-line - with all 48+ Playhouses and our communities across the nation and Mexico. Did you miss it? No worries! You can celebrate with us here. Dreamers...
Destiny
Volunteer Spotlight: Jackie Was it destiny? Jackie, a retired special educator, discovered the Playhouse when she walked past GiGi’s while shopping. She now is celebrating her 3rd year anniversary as a volunteer program leader of our LMNOP – Language, Music N Our Peeps class. LMNOP helps children age newborn to...
Uniquely United
Even without the pink t-shirt reminding others that she's unique: it isn't hard to figure out. If you don't know her you may see some physical characteristics of Down syndrome. Her face is a bit flatter, her eyes wider set and hidden behind glasses, but there is often a giant smile...
Saying Goodbye to Julia Meyers, Site Manager
“That is your legacy on this Earth when you leave this Earth: how many hearts you touched.” —Patti Davis Friday, we wish Julia Meyers a fond farewell as she moves on to her new venture. We are so thankful for Julia’s amazing dedication to our families, participants, volunteers and GiGi’s...
GiGi’s Playhouse – A place of hope
Over the course of the 2018-2019 school year my daughter, Nora, at the time a 13-year-old with Down Syndrome and recently diagnosed with Autism, found herself having behavioral “problems” according to her school. Like most families when the school staff informs you of something you think they are the experts...
Getting the right tools
This is Zoe. She is 8 years old and a dancer, a singer, a swimmer and she can read in part because of GiGi’s Playhouse. Zoe and her family have been a part of GiGi’s Playhouse Madison since it opened attending many of the free programs offered like play groups,...
Free One-on-One Math and Literacy Tutoring at GiGi’s Playhouse Madison
Did you know that at GiGi's Playhouse Madison we offer FREE one-on-one literacy and math tutor programs? Those programs are especially designed for individuals with Down syndrome and are intended for individuals ages 4 and up. Each individual learns to read and develop literacy skills at a different pace. The...
Congratulations to our GiGi Prep Fall 2019 Participants!
Congratulations to our most recent GiGi Prep participants! We had a lovely award ceremony at the Playhouse today and according to our fantastic leaders- this was the most successful class to date! Here’s a list of participants and their awards: Matt- Dollar Up Mike-Nutrition Kaitlin- Leadership Alex- Self Advocacy Anna-...
Presidents Corner
Thank you to all that helped make our 2019 Gala an amazing success! One of the highlights of the evening was our very own Sadler Bell up on stage with Anita Mckinley entertaining the crowd and growing the “Fund the Need” portion of the evening! Sadler you were awesome! There...
“i have a Voice” 2019 Gala
We had an incredible and successful night at the gala! Some of our amazing participants and volunteers were incredible speakers, Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos was so fun, bidding on the silent auction was intense , fund the need was astounding, Meghan Reistad was the perfect emcee, our volunteers worked so...
“I am amazing”: Celebrating Down syndrome
In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, the adult SMART group was involved in various activities, including the watching of a related video ("More Alike Than Different"), listening to the reading of an article entitled "Down Syndrome Awareness Month & What It Means To Me," and the discussion about a...