21 Fast Facts about GiGi’s Phoenix/Scottsdale

1. As of February 14, 2015, we were the 21^st GiGi’s Playhouse location to be opened. The number 21 is extremely significant in the Down syndrome community; Down syndrome is caused by the presence of a third 21^st chromosome.
2. GiGi’s Playhouse offers free programs that are educational and therapeutic in nature to individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood, their families and the community.
3. GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix/Scottsdale is located at 9160 E Shea Blvd Suite 103B, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. 
   1. The idea to open a GiGi’s Playhouse in Arizona was brought up by President Jennifer Gage, Lesley Robertson, and Valere Schlesinger.
4. Our Phoenix/Scottsdale Board consists of our passionate board members as well as an Honorary Board Member with Down syndrome, Brett who is also a participant and volunteer!

1. Both of our Site Coordinators – Sheri and Cathy – were part of our Startup Committee back in October 2013.
2. The Playhouse just celebrated its first anniversary in Arizona on Valentine’s Day.
3. Our database currently has over 400 amazing individuals that have been trained to volunteer at GiGi’s. Last year alone we logged over 4,000 volunteer hours.
   
4. We are always looking for individuals to join our amazing team of volunteers.
5. We serve about 156 families in Arizona that have children with Down syndrome through our eleven programs for children 6 months and older as well as literacy tutoring for children at least 3 years old.
   
6. Each month, we have an average of two to three new families join our Playhouse.
7. During the month of February alone, we had 259 participants attend our various programs and our volunteers donated nearly 300 hours of their time and talent.
8. Our literacy tutoring program is currently in its third session and continues to grow rapidly; there is a 30% increase in participation with each session.
9. By the end of this year, we hope to launch our math tutoring program which will be joining our literacy tutoring program.
10. In the next year, we plan to expand GiGi’s to include GiGi U and Hugs+Mugs. GiGi U or GiGi University is an innovative and educational program for adults with Down syndrome. The program is offered free of charge and focuses on development of confidence, health and wellness, career skills and interests. GiGi University was designed to motivate and train adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential. The adults from GiGi U are involved in all aspects of running the Hugs+Mugs store as part of a hands-on job training internship.
11. We have partnered with Scottsdale Leadership Group to spread the word about GiGi’s Playhouse and Down syndrome throughout Arizona.
    
12. We are 99% volunteer based and donor funded.
13. The Playhouse would like to thank our corporate sponsors such as PayPal, Pinnacle Fitness, AZ on the Rocks, Twine.it, Mountain Brook Golf Club, Primp and Blow, Pulte Group, Chick-Fil-A, the Arizona Coyotes, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Valley Toyota Dealers, Rockbar Scottsdale, Whiskey’s Quicker, Village Health Clubs & Spas, The Vig, Orangetheory Fitness, Four Peaks Brewing Company, Pita Jungle, Foosia, Sound Lighting Fx, True Hot Yoga, Troon Country Club, Scottsdale Schummacher, Mercades-Benz, Republic Media, Tavern Americana, Pourmasters, Crystal Falls Pools, the Sydney Hudson Foundation, and CVS for all of their generous support.
    
14. GiGi’s would also like to thank the Schlesinger Family Trust, Desert Foundation Auxiliary, Scottsdale Leadership Group, National Charity League, Boys Team Charities, the Coyotes Foundation, The Valley Newsroom, and all of the individuals, businesses, and charities that have supported us for their generous time, supply, and monetary donations.
15. At our 2015 Gala, the community raised over $70,000 for the Playhouse.
16. Our 2016 I Have a Voice ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ Gala will be held at Windgate Ranch in Scottsdale on April 22!

Comment your own fast fact that isn’t on this list below!