Breathtaking!

A month of giving and learning at GiGi’s Playhouse NYC

Jordana Mendelson, Education Director

From mid-December to mid-January, the volunteers at GiGi’s Playhouse NYC have been very busy, and I could not be prouder of the community we have all become over these past two years. To see the evolution of our parents, children, friends and volunteers from an emerging organization to a robust achievement center is simply inspiring. No doubt, we have plenty yet to do, lots more funds to raise, more programs to develop, and more volunteers to recruit, but over the past month what I have seen is breathtaking.

At the end of December, a group of dedicated parents, siblings and friends gave up their spare time during the holiday season to help us wrap gifts at Scholastic Bookstore in SoHo to raise awareness and funds for the Playhouse. Scholastic like other bookstores around town invites non-profits and schools to come with their volunteers to giftwrap for patrons, and in exchange organizations have the opportunity to raise awareness and funds during one of the busiest shopping times of the year. In the past, Scholastic has generously donated a book basket to another important fundraiser, the Romp for Research held annually at Asphalt Green for the Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation. This year, we have added GiGi’s Playhouse to the list of philanthropies that they support, and the response we received from the bookstore staff and patrons was wonderful. Visitors to the store asked about the Playhouse, volunteers were able to contribute in a concrete way to our awareness efforts, and in the process we raised over $500 over 3 days for Playhouse activities and programs. Since all of our programs are fee, that money goes toward real expenses that we incur at the Playhouse, including books, toner, paper and laminate sheets for literacy pods; refreshments for public events and parent support groups; decorations for holiday parties; outreach materials for NICUs and community centers.  We hope to run this micro-fundraiser again next year, so keep your local bookstore in mind, ask them about their fundraising collaborations during the holidays, and assemble a team of friends to help you giftwrap for the Playhouse, and be part of our growing team of volunteers!

Last weekend, we held two sessions that presented crucial information for parents, educators, therapists, and friends related to key moments in the development of children with Down syndrome.

On Saturday January 11th, Marilyn Rubinstein, Director of the Early Childhood Direction Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital, lead a fact-based discussion of current DOE policies related to Turning 5 and Kindergarten. Our intimate discussion with parents and educators about this process empowered the group with up-to-date information and good, balanced reflection about resources and supports for children and parents who face this challenging phase in the transition to school age programs. Marilyn has offered to give another presentation on the transition from EI to CPSE, and we will work with her to put this session on the calendar in the coming year.

On Sunday January 12, the Playhouse hosted a panel on “How to get the most out of Early Intervention” with Hilda Chusid (Early Intervention Supervisor, NYL/Lifestart), Bonnie Keilty (City College of New York & New York University), and Megan Fucci (Clinical Speech Supervisor, NYL/Lifestart). Both Hilda and Bonnie are members of the Playhouse Programs Advisory Committee, and contribute visibly and behind the scenes to the success of our programs, and help us constantly revise and improve the content and focus of everything we do, especially for children 3 years old and under. With numerous parents from different boroughs in attendance, our discussion about early intervention focused on resources, best practices, and strategies for optimizing our children’s development. The workshop guided participants through a discussion of the myths (and realities) of early intervention as a federal program and in New York City. Handouts included useful information and resources for parents who are just entering this phase of support for their children, and for all others interested in learning about what is the same and what has changed in the identification, delivery, and support of interventions for families with children under 3 years old in New York City. The lively and wide-ranging conversation offered informed advice and guidelines on a topic that is often fraught with tension, emotion, and high stakes. For all in attendance — panelists and attendees — the Playhouse offered a warm, supportive environment to speak openly about issues that are of worry and concern, but that when discussed openly and in community seem easier to handle.  Our volunteers helped guide older children in activities, and offered welcome laps for the youngest babies so that parents could focus on the discussion.

Together, these three events (along with so many amazing programs and activities that took place in December and January: our holiday party, the Spanish speaking parents support group, our regular movement and music classes, our literacy pods), showed me over and over again during the holiday season, the beautiful potential and the outstanding generosity of our community when we work together to share information and offer unconditional support to our family, friends, and volunteers.  I look forward to more amazing projects in common in 2014!