In life, nothing happens overnight. Before a significant achievement, milestone, or modicum of success can be reached, days, months, and even years of hard work and determination must be put in. Our newest Playhouse, GiGi’s Playhouse Portland is a testament to this idea. Opening on September 28, our Portland Playhouse will be welcomed into the…
Read MoreBeing a parent to a newborn is one of life’s greatest gifts. But it can also be daunting. While parents are overjoyed by the arrival of this amazing new life, they also want to know that their child will have a bright future. This concern is amplified for parents of newborns with Down syndrome, who…
Read MoreAt GiGi’s, our Playhouses are like sanctuaries. Inside our walls, we offer our participants and their families more than FREE programming – we offer love, support, and acceptance. Our 60+ Playhouses are safe havens for individuals with Down syndrome and their parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, volunteers, and the entire community. The moment anyone steps through…
Read MoreIt started as a dream. Four years ago, three months into a global pandemic, Kirsten Riddick and Cara Armstrong, two mothers of children with Down syndrome, came together. Their idea was simple: create a social group for their children with Down syndrome, ideally close to their homes in Simi Valley, CA. What followed next is…
Read MoreFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 12, 2024 (Simi Valley, CA) — It’s a ribbon cutting 21 years in the making. GiGi’s Playhouse, the only network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, is thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of its newest Playhouse in Simi Valley, CA, on Saturday, August 17. The Simi Valley Playhouse marks the landmark…
Read MoreIf you tuned into the Olympics on Sunday, you witnessed something that directly relates to the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse. …Yes, you read that right. Though we are Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, and we absolutely love the Special Olympics, the plight and obstacles individuals with Down syndrome face aren’t simply relegated to the Special Olympics…
Read MoreNervous glances. Long stares. Muffled laughter. When people with disabilities, especially those with Down syndrome, enter public spaces, they’re often greeted with a mixed reception. Whether it’s at a school, restaurant, or grocery store, many members of the neurotypical population aren’t used to seeing individuals with disabilities, and because of this, many people don’t…
Read MoreAt GiGi’s, our Playhouses offer purposeful, FREE programs that change our participants’ lives. We also offer programs designed to take our participants outside of our Playhouse walls and into their communities. These programs don’t just help our participants; they help community members with no ties to Down syndrome gain exposure, interact, and build meaningful relationships…
Read More65 Cities. 5 Days. 2 Countries. 1 Voice Save the Date for 2024: November 6-10 Renaissance Convention Center Hotel Schaumburg, IL 60173 Register Today! Agenda Conference Breakouts Toolkit 350+ Attendees 80+ Speakers 80+ Sessions 65 Locations Conference registration is now open! As a reminder, everyone who plans to attend MUST register! Also, be sure to…
Read MoreDS 101 Best of All Books How I Learn Resources Down Syndrome 101 With over 450,000 individuals with Down syndrome living in the US alone; and including impacted parents and siblings, over 2 million people face this diagnosis every single day. 1 in 700 live births results in a Down syndrome diagnosis. The average age…
Read More321 Days of Acceptance for People of All Abilities: GiGi’s Playhouse Pioneering Social Media Campaign Surpasses 1 Million People Hoffman Estates, IL, June 26, 2017 – On World Down Syndrome Day, March 21st, 2017, GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers launched “321 Days of Acceptance”, a pioneering social media campaign introducing the world to somebody…
Read MoreImpact Partnerships at GiGi’s Playhouse: Benefits of Corporate Giving GiGi’s Playhouse advances impact for individuals with Down syndrome and the community by connecting families and businesses. Through marketing, volunteerism, and charitable giving – corporations and local businesses can impact: REVENUES: Estimated discretionary spending of MILLIONS of families in the disability community exceeds $200 billion per…
Read MoreFinancials Programs are free to families but not to the organization, but with the help of generous volunteers and donors we optimize program quality and efficient delivery expenses. Our replicable brick & mortar model easily enables volunteers to have a reliable destination to leverage their time and talent in helping our children and families. Our…
Read MoreWhy GiGi’s Exists? GiGi’s Playhouse was created to change the way the world views a Down syndrome diagnosis and send a global message of acceptance for all. We understand that many families are first time parents and they need us. Many young parents do not expect, or know in advance of their child’s diagnosis, and they…
Read MoreGiGi & Nancy on the Go! Follow Nancy and GiGi on their adventures. Meet Nancy and GiGi at one of their upcoming events! Jun 11 Belting Through Challenges: GiGi’s Moment of Resilience If you blinked, you might have missed it. This past weekend, GiGi Gianni, the namesake of GiGi’s Playhouse, the only network of…
Read MoreAre You a New Mom? Are You Expecting a child with Down syndrome?Congratulations! Welcome to the GiGi’s Playhouse Family! Connect with a New Family Ambassador: We will respond within 24 hours. Remember: all programs and services are 100% FREE to Playhouse families! Connect Here! Learn what it means to have Down syndrome – DS101 Learn…
Read MoreGeneration G presents 321 Days of Acceptance Over 300 days, millions of Facebook fans viewed, liked, and shared GiGi’s Playhouse 321 Days of Acceptance Campaign, as well as the many inspirational stories of acceptance & achievement enabled by #GenerationG. We have been encouraged & motivated by each individual to continue the work of changing the…
Read MoreDance Marathon goes ‘above and beyond’ expectations We are all still wrapping our heads and hearts around the amazing weekend! “That’s something so above and beyond what GiGi’s Playhouse, on its own, is able to do,” she said. “I’m just in awe of the students here. … This is bigger than any of us realized…
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