Meet Isabella Alfaro

Hi, my name is Isabella Alfaro, and I am an international senior student at Tulane University. I am thrilled to work as a Marketing Intern for GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans throughout the 2021 Fall Semester! GiGi’s Playhouse started in 2003 as a Down Syndrome Awareness Center in Illinois, and with its incredible work, it has managed to grow into the only international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers. As I kept learning more about GiGi’s Playhouse, the more I was drawn…

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Summer Programming at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans

GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans is very excited to offer our free summer programming for all ages! Learn a little bit more about our upcoming programs below and be on the lookout for our schedule and registration links. LMNOP (Ages 0-3) LMNOP is an interactive and engaging program for children age newborn to 36 months old. It guides parents…

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Introducing GiGi’s Playhouse GiGiFIT Program!

The GigiFIT Program is a targeted approach to health and wellness developed by physical therapists specifically for people with Down syndrome of all ages!     The program focuses on improving areas of fitness including strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more.  It’s structured to allow participants to develop goals based on their individual fitness level.    GiGiFIT also promotes…

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Meet our new volunteer Rachel

My name is Rachel Sloan and I am a senior at Tulane University. I am excited to be a part of GiGi’s Playhouse and helping individuals with Down syndrome. I am passionate about the goals at GiGi’s Playhouse to help the world have a better understanding of Down syndrome and spread acceptance. I think it…

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Meet Our New Volunteer Ethan!

My name is Ethan Huene, and I am a sophomore at Tulane University. I am so excited to work as a Project Coordinator Intern for GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans throughout the spring semester! I was drawn to GiGi’s Playhouse because of all of the remarkable work they have accomplished since their start in 2003. GiGi’s…

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GiGi’s One-On-One Tutoring Program

Child with Down syndrome learning to read

GiGi’s Playhouse One-on-One Literacy Tutoring Program uses the Raising Robust Readers (RRR) reading program.  RRR was developed by Judy O’Halloran, a teacher who is the mother of an adult son with Down syndrome.  She was concerned many years ago that her son Casey (a teen at the time) was on track to graduate from high…

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COVID Guidelines

Group Photo with Masks

We are living in COVID world and life has changed drastically for everyone. We want you to know that we are taking the pandemic very seriously at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans and doing everything in our power to keep you safe. Be sure and check out our COVID-19 guidelines below.  An employee or volunteer checks in each…

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LMNOP – Laugh, Love & Learn

I first learned the signing alphabet and a few signs from my best friend in elementary school who had a younger sister with special needs, including deafness.  Since then, I have always been interested in sign language and when I saw the opportunity to take a local baby sign language class with a WeeHands trained instructor with…

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Meet Our New Intern – Melanie Gaynor

My name is Melanie Gaynor and I am a senior at Tulane University. I am interested in becoming a part of GiGi’s Playhouse because of their dedication to bettering the lives of those with Down syndrome in so many ways! I love that no matter what one’s background is, individuals with Down syndrome are able…

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What I Learned | Eve Segel

As a college student heading into a summer internship, it is easy to expect the worst — busy work, distracted supervisors, and little room for learning or growth. But from my first days at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans, I realized that the team was giving me the opportunity to be a real asset, and that they wanted…

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