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 MoreFor general media inquiries about GiGi’s Playhouse, invitations for appearances by GiGi and Nancy, and for information on how brands can connect with families nationwide: please contact media@gigisplayhouse.org and someone will respond within one business day. Aug 2024 – Nancy and GiGi visited GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster and met with so many amazing families, volunteers, and donors!…
Read MoreThank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer and impacting the lives of individuals living with Down syndrome. GiGi’s Playhouse is a volunteer-run organization and we rely on the skill and dedication of volunteers of various levels of expertise to keep our programs vibrant, educational, purposeful, fun, and free. Since the first Playhouse opened…
Read MorePrograms Overview Programs at GiGi’s Playhouse offer foundational learning opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. GiGi’s Playhouse programs are a place for parents/caregivers to share ideas and network with one another. We invite caregivers to communicate their needs, questions and concerns with one another, and promote connections to be…
Read MoreProgram Listings GiGi’s Signature Programs Offered Nationally Signature programs follow the same structure and curriculum at each location, providing purposeful progressions by supporting our youngest learners through adulthood. Filter Programs: All Ages | Early Learners | School Age | Teen | Adult | Career Training All Ages Destination Discovery – Supports the development of fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social skills and language…
Read MoreCreate a Legacy that Lasts a Lifetime Start a Playhouse! At GiGi’s, our Playhouses impact entire communities, and YOU can kickstart that impact! Opening a new Playhouse takes a dream of a better tomorrow, strong community connections, and the steadfast determination to lead a grassroots movement. Like raising a child with Down syndrome, it can…
Read MoreHow GiGi’s Began When my daughter GiGi was born, I thought my family’s life would change forever. About an hour after she was born, the doctors suspected she had Down syndrome. Panic was welling up inside me but I was afraid for anyone to see it. As soon as my husband and I made…
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