Posts by Cathy Judge

Over the years, the annual Friends Campaign has helped GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix provide life-changing programs for children and adults with Down syndrome. Because of this Campaign, participants have learned to read, gained job skills, built friendships, and proven that **“stronger together” is more than just a phrase—it’s our reality. This year, however, the Friends Campaign…

The GiGi’s Career Development programs are progressive learning programs that are designed to motivate adults with Down syndrome to achieve their highest potential in the world. We achieve this through innovative, educational, goal-development, and small group skills instruction, health and wellness, career skills, empowerment, community engagement, and exceptional work opportunities. GiGi’s Playhouse offers a three-tiered…

I would like you to meet some of my Playhouse friends….. They are so awesome! Please meet one of my new friends, Diondre😀. His favorite food is Bojangle’s Chicken.  His sister calls him Brotheren as a nickname😀. Diondre likes to make music.  His favorite place to go is Universal Studios (sounds like a lot of…

“Those six words stopped me in my tracks. I was in Dallas for a startup event with the Texas Rangers to help bring a Playhouse to North Texas. I stepped into an elevator, and that’s when it happened: a woman looked at me, recognized me, and said those words.” “Through tears, she shared how her daughter,…

“A “toast” to Jennifer Gage by Tammy Truelove Estrada at the GiGis Playhouse Phoenix 10th Anniversary. Congratulations! to ALL who continue to believe in and support our mission.” “You are not only our FOUNDER, but over the past 10 years you have been an amazing GRANT WRITER FUNDRAISER GALA PLANNER BUSINESS DEVELOPER All while being…

Michael Ryan is 23 years old with the gift of Down syndrome. I call it the Love Syndrome because he is filled with Love! He blesses us way more than we bless him. He teaches us what truly is important in life! For over 10 years we had been looking and praying for a program…

In 2021, a few women in my neighborhood posted on Facebook looking for early-morning walking partners. The next day, two of us showed up—and that’s when I met Kathryn. From the very beginning, her energy, quick wit, and beautiful British accent made her unforgettable. She had been raised in South Africa, and I was captivated…

I would like you to meet some of my Playhouse friends….. They are so awesome! Please meet one of my new friends, Ari😀. She loves reading! Ari has 3 brothers, Ethan (25), Ridge (21), and Reed (20). She also has 1 dog named Scout. Ari’s favorite food is Chicken nuggets with honey mustard! Her dad…

Kaitlyn Gage’s Mom, Jennifer Gage shares her “Why”. . . . . “It’s no secret I got involved with GiGi’s Playhouse for my daughter Kaitlyn. She was graduating from high school in a few years, and I wasn’t sure what we were going to do ‘when the bus stopped coming’. In 2013, two friends, Leslie…

I would like you to meet some of my Playhouse friends….. They are so awesome! Please meet one of my new friends, Rynn😀. Rynn loves LMNOP! She loves music and knows the signs to many songs because of the program💕. (Great job). Rynn has one older brother! He loves the GiGi’s cafe (I am so…