Portland, Oregon Welcomes the 61st Location of GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center…Launching Six FREE Programs in October…Down Syndrome Awareness Month!
Portland turned out to welcome the 61st location of GiGi’s Playhouse to the Rose City in a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration at GiGi’s new location – 8538 SW Apple Way, Portland. GiGi’s Playhouse founder, Nancy Gianni, and her daughter, Gigi greeted and thanked community members for believing and investing in GiGi’s mission to raise awareness and acceptance for all…with or without a diagnosis.
GiGi’s Playhouse Portland Recap Reel on Facebook
The Grand Opening was completely packed with families, volunteers, and local dignitaries; even Experiment 626 showed some kindness, generosity, and acceptance!
Children of all abilities enjoyed testing out the playhouse’s unique toys. Parents and guardians got a taste of the Down syndrome community’s strength. Volunteers engaged with future participants, and kept the event running smoothly. Nancy, GiGi, and Franco Gianni came all the way from Chicago to show their support.
The journey to bring GiGi’s Playhouse to Portland began in 2017 with a small group of families who heard how GiGi’s Playhouses in other cities changed families and communities through FREE programs and campaigns promoting acceptance and inclusion. Enduring a two-year pandemic-related delay, the local faithful established their Oregon-registered LLC in 2022, formed a board and signed a seven-year lease in November of 2023. Renovations began in April of 2024 leading to September 28th‘s grand opening. It seems fitting that GiGi’s Playhouse Portland begins offering FREE programs in October…Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
If you missed the party on September 28th, but would like to see this amazing new resource to our community, email us at [email protected] or call us at 971-361-4389.
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