A Promising New Year
2014 has been a great year! Our annual appeal and matching gift raised over $60,000! We produced 2 videos to help us share the story of our beautiful community. Dancing for Down Syndrome gave families a platform to share their experience of being a part of the Down syndrome community with their family and friends around the city and the world. We also raised $35,000 to help sustain our free programs.
Glamour Magazine acknowledged our service in the special-needs world by inviting us to pay tribute to, and explain the importance of Natalia Vodianova’s work in Russia. We started two new programs: Friday Friends and Karate, increasing our programs to 15 per month! Our monthly participation grew to almost 500 participants per month! We hired an office manager to manage this abundance; doubling our staff (1+1=2) We are currently searching for a programs director to train, support, and recruit our volunteer staff of over 35 and develop more programs for families.
In 2015, we are partnering with the Brooklyn Museum to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, as part of their current exhibit of work by Judith Scott, an artist with Down syndrome.
2015 will also see us trial our first satellite program in Brooklyn in partnership with Extreme Kids and Crew.
GiGi’s Playhouse NYC at the Brooklyn Museum and Extreme Kids & Crew
We need your continued support in order to revolutionize New York’s perception of Down syndrome.
– Do you speak Spanish? Help us host Fiesta Hispana on March 1 – language will no longer be a barrier at GiGi’s Playhouse for Spanish-speaking families!
January marks the second international internship exchange at GiGi’s Playhouse for Noni Labarca, a Chilean student with a life-long passion for serving the Down syndrome community. Her 2015 internship is focused on creating a monthly celebration for Spanish Speaking families to celebrate their loved ones with Down syndrome.
– Let’s show our program leaders need to know how much we appreciate them. Help us host the Valentine Day Volunteer Appreciation Party on Saturday, February 14!
– Support our third annual Gala at the Manhattan Penthouse on March 12th
– Show off your pride at our 3rd annual World Down Syndrome Day Party on March 21st! The Brooklyn Museum has asked us to host our 3rd annual World Down Syndrome Celebration at The Brooklyn Museum in honor of Judith Scott.
– Help find our new programs director. (Job description is available on our website)
– Host Crafting and Storytelling on Monday afternoons.
– Be a host at our monthly Friday Friends, adults program, and party with a group of really fun young adults! https://gigisplayhouse.org/newyork/volunteer-opportunities
Thank you for investing your family in GiGi’s. 2015 is going to be the best year yet for the down syndrome community of New York City!
Sincerely,
Britt Sady, Executive Director
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