Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month with Gratitude for Chick-fil-A Airline
As we celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month, GiGi’s Playhouse is especially grateful for our incredible new community partner, Chick-fil-A Airline! Their support for our mission and Playhouse has been inspiring, and they recently went the extra mile by sponsoring a special event to recognize the heart of our organization—our volunteers....
Introducing the Amina Grace Speech Therapy Program Sponsored by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Foundation
At GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans, we are always striving to bring innovative and impactful programs to our local community. This Fall 2024, we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking initiative—the Amina Grace Speech Therapy Program Pilot, generously sponsored by the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust. This new program is set...
ELCA Youth Gathering Volunteers at GiGi’s NOLA: A Heartfelt Partnership
New Orleans was buzzing with energy as 16,000 youth and adults from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) descended upon the city for their tri-annual Youth Gathering last month. This event, centered on fellowship and service, saw participants rotating daily across 200 locations to help improve city spaces. From...
GiGi’s Playhouse NOLA: Community Volunteer Day at Second Harvest Food Bank
On Friday, July 19, 2024, GiGi’s Playhouse NOLA held its first Community Volunteer Day at Second Harvest Food Bank. It was an incredible day filled with teamwork, community spirit, and the joy of giving back. Packing Food Boxes for Louisiana Our mission for the day was to pack food boxes...
Discover Teen Tastic at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans: Building Social Skills in a Fun Setting
At GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans, we are dedicated to empowering individuals with Down syndrome through innovative programs that foster development and celebrate achievements. We are excited to introduce our Teen Tastic program, designed to build social skills through engaging and team-based activities. This program is perfect for teens looking to...
Math Tutoring by Kayla Vo
I got the chance to volunteer as a 1-on-1 math tutor at Gigi’s Playhouse New Orleans, and I had a great time doing so. The sign-up process was quick and simple. On GiGi’s website there is a form for math and literacy tutoring, and there you are able to pick...
Dual Diagnosis – Down Syndrome & Autism
Since it is Autism Acceptance Month, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. While While a child with Down syndrome is diagnosed prenatally or very shortly after birth, a diagnosis of autism usually occurs several years later. Previously, it was not widely understood that...
Patience
When a couple finds out they’re having a baby, people have a tendency to imagine their child’s whole life. You imagine him taking his first steps, saying his first words, what sport he’ll play, what college he’ll go to. And so on and so on. Then when you find out...
Crescent City Classic 10K – GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans Down Syndrome Achievement Center
GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans Down Syndrome Achievement Center was selected for the 2024 Crescent City Classic (CCC) "Run for It" charity partner program. The CCC is New Orleans and the Gulf South's premier 10K road race, and one of the oldest 10K races in the nation. Each year over 20,000...
Tutoring at GiGi’s Playhouse NOLA
As our Playhouse continues to grow, so does our tutoring program! We are expecting a high number of applications from our families for this Spring 2024 Literacy and Math Sessions. Spring tutoring runs from February 19th (week after Mardi Gras) to May 11th. Tutors and students will have standing sessions;...
Thank you God for the Miracles
Hi! My name is Lory, and I have been volunteering as the Board Treasurer since just before GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans became its own legal entity in March 2020 (yes, just before that, too). I am getting ready to pass the torch to a new treasurer, so I am reflecting on...
Volunteer Spotlight – Ginger Clasen
GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans is grateful for Ginger Clasen! Ginger serves as a Board Member and is our Gratitude Committee Program Co-Leader. Ginger is beaming with positivity and friendliness. She is always welcoming with a smile on her face. Ginger brings a wealth of knowledge, advocacy and experience to our...