GiGi’s March Magic: World Down Syndrome Day & Our Annual Crawfish Boil
March was packed with celebration, connection, and community spirit at GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans! From honoring World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) to getting our hands (and hearts) messy at our Annual Crawfish Boil, we made memories that reminded us just how powerful acceptance and inclusion can be. 🌍 World Down...
Meet Our New Social Media Ambassador: Yalena “Laney” Guerra!
We’re thrilled to officially introduce the newest member of our GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans team — Social Media Ambassador and all-around superstar, Yalena “Laney” Guerra! Laney is a vibrant self-advocate who brings energy, joy, and a whole lot of heart to everything she does. A longtime participant and now dedicated...
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with GiGi’s Playhouse!
March 21 is a special day, World Down Syndrome Day! We celebrate on 3/21 to represent the three copies of the 21st chromosome. One of our favorite traditions is wearing fun, mismatched socks because chromosomes resemble socks. Believe it or not, socks get people talking! On Friday, March 21, choose...
Volunteering for the CCC on behalf of GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans
One of the best things about having a Run for It team for the CCC10K is that GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans can spread the message of acceptance at a high-profile event in our community, all while raising funds to support the FREE educational and therapeutic-based enrichment programs offered EVERY WEEK...
Crescent City Classic 10K 2025 “Run for It” Program supporting GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans Down Syndrome Achievement Center
GiGi's Playhouse New Orleans was selected for the 2025 Crescent City Classic (CCC) "Run for It" charity partner program for the second year in a row! The CCC is one of the premiere 10K races in the country, and a whole lot of fun! The funds team members raise go...
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...