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A word from our Founder, Nancy Gianni
Hello GiGi's Change Makers!
BREAKING NEWS: GiGi is taking the mic and taking our mission to the big leagues!
This November, GiGi will perform the National Anthem at The Lucky Classic, a star-studded softball game in Nashville featuring top MLB players, country music stars, and surprise celebrity guests (read more about The Lucky Classic here).
But GiGi’s not stopping there! She’s also launching her Born to Be Heard speaking tour, and she’s making appearances at two national women’s leadership conferences!
GiGi is truly amplifying our mission in front of new audiences.
As a mom, moments like these remind me of what October is really about. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, but at GiGi’s Playhouse, we like to call it Down Syndrome ACCEPTANCE Month!
All month long, we’re not just raising awareness; we’re creating opportunities. Through national campaigns, community events, and FREE programs at every Playhouse all year long, GiGi’s Playhouse is showing the world what true inclusion looks like!
Please take a moment to read our October newsletter and see how the entire GiGi’s network is speaking out, changing perceptions, and making the world a more accepting place... together!
XOXO,
Nancy and GiGi
This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, choose ACCEPTANCE
This October, GiGi’s Playhouse is going beyond awareness. We’re celebrating milestones, challenging perceptions, and championing a world where every person with Down syndrome is seen, valued, and included.
Every win — whether it’s saying a new word, riding a bike, or getting one step closer to independence— brings us one step closer to true acceptance.
And none of it is possible without YOU.
Your support keeps our programs FREE and helps create a world where achievement builds confidence, confidence shifts perceptions, and perception leads to acceptance.
Help make every win possible.
GiGi Gianni to kick off star-studded Lucky Classic in Nashville
The stars are heading to Nashville... and GiGi’s leading the way!
On Sunday, November 16, GiGi Gianni will take center field to perform the National Anthem at The Lucky Classic, a celebrity softball game hosted by MLB player Jake Burger at First Horizon Park. The event will feature some of the biggest names in baseball, top country music stars, and high-profile surprise guests for a day of excitement and purpose.
Names like Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, and Chris Bassitt will take the field alongside music stars like Jordan Davis and Colbie Caillat — all in support of the Burger Family Foundation, created in honor of Jake and Ashlyn Burger’s daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome.
Before the first pitch, GiGi will step up to the mic, but her performance is about more than kicking off a game. GiGi’s National Anthem represents a moment of visibility and opportunity for the entire Down syndrome community at a star-studded event.
With MLB players, major artists, and GiGi leading the way, The Lucky Classic will be a reminder of what inclusion looks like when ALL voices are heard.
Interested in attending the Lucky Classic in Nashville? Head here to learn more.
#GenerationG magazine: Showcasing the strength of the Down syndrome community
Magazines have long been a window into different worlds; a chance to see stories, faces, and experiences that shape our understanding of those around us.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we know that fostering better understanding is key. When it comes to Down syndrome, it’s not just about being seen; it’s about sharing the full, vibrant reality of what individuals with Down syndrome can achieve.
This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we’re excited to launch the third issue of #GenerationG magazine, a celebration of strength, passion, and advocacy within the Down syndrome community.
Inside this issue, you’ll meet remarkable individuals with Down syndrome pushing boundaries: triathletes pushing limits, bodybuilders redefining strength, and actors shining on screen. But the stories don’t stop there. #GenerationG magazine also honors the champions who tirelessly advocate for acceptance and equality — from professional athletes to peers, siblings, and allies — all contributing to a world that sees ability, not disability.
Dive into these stories of empowerment and see why #GenerationG is more than a magazine; it’s a movement.
Saving for Cyndi, learning for life
John is 59 years old. He has Down syndrome. And he’s learning every day.
John, a participant at GiGi’s Playhouse Twin Cities, attends free one-on-one math tutoring. Recently, John’s been learning how to budget, using a goal that’s close to his heart: buying tickets to see his favorite artist, Cyndi Lauper.
The example was personal. John’s tutor used a real-life scenario — concert tickets, planning, saving — to help him understand budgeting in a way that felt relevant and exciting.
But John’s story is about more than concerts, music, or Cyndi Lauper; it’s about independence. Through one-on-one math tutoring, John is building skills that connect directly to his everyday life.
This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we celebrate stories like John’s — stories that prove learning never stops, and neither does the potential for growth.
October at GiGi’s: Acceptance in action
Creating a more accepting world doesn’t happen behind closed doors; it happens out in the community, where awareness begins and connections are made.
This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, our Playhouses are doing exactly that, stepping beyond their walls to raise visibility and bring GiGi’s mission to life in everyday spaces.
Whether it’s our Canton Playhouse partnering with a local ice cream shop to launch a custom “A Little Something Extra” flavor, Cleveland bringing back its fan-favorite “GiGi’s Oatmeal Cookie Latte,” Fort Wayne hosting a live outdoor concert, or Detroit turning its Halloween party into a full-on awareness celebration, GiGi’s Playhouses are making noise across the map! From Deerfield’s partnership with a neighborhood salon to Fort Myers’ first-ever clay shoot, our network is inviting the community in all October long!
On top of that, 14 Playhouses are hosting galas this month, bringing their communities together in support of our mission.
From ice cream shops to concert stages to gala ballrooms, every event is putting our participants front and center and amplifying their voices this Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
Empowerment in action: How our participants give back
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we believe one of the most powerful ways to grow is to give back, and that applies to everyone who walks through our doors. Our volunteers aren’t just community members or college students; sometimes, they’re participants.
At GiGi’s, we don’t just help our participants grow; we empower them to become changemakers and leaders in their communities. Hannah from GiGi’s Playhouse Canton is a perfect example of this. Hannah’s been a part of the Canton Playhouse since it opened. She has participated in programs like GiGiFIT, GiGi’s Kitchen, and one-on-one tutoring.
But as Hannah’s confidence has grown, so has her desire to give back. Today, Hannah volunteers at the Playhouse, helping lead warm-ups during GiGiFIT and volunteering in LMNOP, supporting Canton’s youngest learners with energy and care.
Hannah’s not only improving her own life, but she’s also inspiring and supporting others by volunteering. It’s this ripple effect of empowerment that defines what we do at GiGi’s Playhouse.
Want to join the ripple effect of empowerment? Whether you’re a student, retiree, or have just an hour to spare, there’s a place for you at GiGi’s Playhouse. Learn how you can volunteer here.
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