When Unstoppable Connection Creates Change

How New Moms Turned Connection into the Comeback of LMNOP at GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County

When GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County first opened, our LMNOP program for babies ages 0–3 was one of the first programs on the calendar. But attendance started small, just one or two families each week, and eventually dwindled to none. Surveys and social media posts went out asking, “Where are the babies at?” but things remained quiet.

Determined to reach new families, we began connecting with hospitals, pediatricians, and community organizations to spread awareness about GiGi’s. Then, about a year ago, everything changed when Angie and Juan Vargas walked through our doors with their brand new baby, Santiago.

Like many new parents, Angie and Juan were navigating the emotions that come with a Down syndrome diagnosis. They were looking for guidance, understanding, and a community that could help them find their footing. We recommended they visit the EIP program, hosted by our generous partners at the Assistance League of Laguna Beach, which supports families of babies with Down syndrome up to 12 months old.

Our hope was that families who completed the Assistance League’s EIP program would eventually continue their journey with GiGi’s through LMNOP once their babies turned one. That vision began to take shape when the Vargas family returned to the Playhouse.

Now, one year later, Santiago has just turned one, and Angie remembered our conversation about LMNOP. She gathered a few friends, and together they came for a tour of the Playhouse. Their energy and enthusiasm reignited a dream we had been holding onto since day one.

What makes this moment even more powerful is how much has changed in a single year. Angie, once the new mom looking for guidance, is now a mentor to other new moms, offering reassurance, encouragement, and hope. Her confidence has grown as a mother of a child with Down syndrome, and she has become a voice of experience and optimism for others just starting their journey.

Santiago, now one year old, is thriving. He’s stronger, healthier, and hitting milestones with determination and joy. The strides Angie and Santiago have made together are a living example of what support, connection, and community can do.

Thanks to these dedicated moms and their adorable babies, LMNOP is officially relaunching in January 2026. GiGi’s will provide the beautiful space, engaging activities, volunteers, and structure, and these families will bring the babies, joy, and community spirit that make it all come to life.

This relaunch also reflects the power of collaboration. Our ongoing relationship with the Assistance League of Laguna Beach continues to open doors for new families and demonstrates how patience, partnership, and shared purpose create lasting impact.

Because of the Vargas family’s courage, heart, and leadership, our youngest participants will once again have a joyful, welcoming space to learn, connect, and grow at GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County.

GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County is part of a nationwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers offering free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Opened in November 2022, our Playhouse serves more than 330 families and is powered by over 100 volunteers. Every program -from LMNOP and GiGiFIT to tutoring, cooking, and social skills groups- aims to foster confidence, belonging, and lifelong learning. The Playhouse is more than a building; it is a place where families find connection, where children are celebrated for exactly who they are, and where inclusion grows every single day.