GiGi’s NYC Quarterly Highlights – January to March 2022

It’s a Wrap!

GiGi’s NYC recently closed out our Winter Semester, and what a semester it was! We re-launched a community favorite program, we piloted a new program with Hunter College, we celebrated World Down Syndrome Day, and we hosted a variety of weekly programs and other special events. Such an amazing semester filled with fun, learning, friendship and achievement!

Check out the recap below to see some of our highlights during the first quarter of 2022:

  • AHRC NYC hosted us for an info session on the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Train and Earn Program.
  • ​​​​​We re-launched community favorite, Bowling Buddies.
  • We hosted our community for a rockin’ Karaoke Party.
  • We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a Pizza and Paint Party.
  • We onboarded MacKenzie Leger as our Programs Coordinator.
  • In celebration of GiGi’s NYC 10th Anniversary, we hosted an art event to honor the many achievements of our community. We created artwork for a mural that will symbolize all who have left their imprint on our Playhouse by giving their time, talent and dedication. This is still a work in progress!
  • We collaborated with Alivia, a radiant womenswear brand, to give our participants the opportunity to have their artwork featured in one of Alivia’s future collections.
  • We said farewell to long-time GiGi’s NYC volunteer, Andy Kleiman.
  • Dr. Keilty, Professor and Chair of the Special Education Department at Hunter College, City University of New York, hosted our community for an Early Intervention & Child Development Workshop.
  • We celebrated World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) in the following ways:
    • Our TeenTastic Night Out participants attended a Brooklyn Nets game, thanks to a generous ticket donation. 
    • Promoted the social media campaign in the days leading up to WDSD, “Demystifying Down Syndrome,” by highlighting some common misconceptions about Down syndrome and the corresponding facts.
    • A number of our participants were guest panel speakers at major corporations such as Société Générale, AIG and Microsoft. 
    • We celebrated the launch of Turn Down for What, a non-profit founded by long-time GiGi’s NYC volunteer, Claire Kuhn. 
    • We hosted a FUNdraiser at Tommy Bahama. 
    • Our Co-Founders, Debbie Morris and Tracy Nixon, were interviewed by Better Together Community, to reflect on the last ten years since we opened our doors. Click here to watch the video. 
We are extremely thankful for all our amazing participants, families, volunteers, donors and staff who helped make this another successful semester of programming!

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