It’s not just cooking!
We piloted the GiGi's Kitchen program during the COVID shutdowns back in 2020/2021 and we're able to virtually see our participants getting more comfortable in their own kitchens at home. The kitchen program is now one of GiGi's signature enrollment/application based programs being offered across the GiGi's network and we're...
World Down Syndrome Day 2023
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21st. It is celebrated on 3.21 to align with the 3 copies of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome. GiGi's loves to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day and we want you to join us! This is also a day to spread awareness and...
Love Our Team – Pam Lynch
The final post in our Love Our Team series is for our Site Director. She has been with the Playhouse for almost 7 years. Many don't know that she applied for the Program Coordinator position in 2015. She interviewed but did not get that position. She was however drawn in...
Love Our Team – Ann Cobb
Last but not least in our Love Our Team series, we are showing some love for our staff members. As many of you may know, we only have 2 paid staff members! While they have assigned job duties, they also know each others jobs fairly well in order to fill...
Love Our Team – Lydia Olson
Lydia Lydia comes to us from the Quad Cities Music Therapy Center. We appreciate Ms. Misty our LMNOP leader introducing her to us. Many of our teen and adult participants will recognize Lydia as she has led our summer music/drumming programs! We asked Lydia is she had any advice for...
Love Our Team – Michael & Kate
Michael and Kate are not only adult participants of GiGi's programming they also serve as self advocates on our board and often as ambassadors providing tours and information to visitors at the Playhouse. Michael and Kate have both been involved with programming since the beginning (2011). Michael Michael Michael graduated...
Love Our Team – Elizabeth, Isabella, and Diana
Earlier in this Love Our Team series we highlighted 3 interns from St Ambrose. We also have 3 interns from Augustana this spring! Please meet Elizabeth, Isabella, and Diana! We asked each of them to complete an interview to tell us a bit about themselves and what they are looking...
Love Our Team – Chad Johnson
In honor of Presidents Day today, we thought it was a great day to show our love for our Board President! Please meet Chad Johnson! Chad and his family learned about GiGi's from a nurse when their daughter Mila was born. They have been part of the Playhouse since 2013...
Love Our Team – Paige Kelly & Shannon Herra
If you've participated in our GiGiFIT program, you've most likely met Paige and Shannon. They are the amazing GiGiFIT Program Leaders. They are often assisted by Physical Therapy students from St Ambrose. Paige Kelly is a Physical Therapist for Genesis Outpatient Pediatric Therapy (GO Peds) and as a sibling of...
Love Our Team – Anna Carmichael
This team member deserves a special triple A membership with all the miles she puts on her car coming to GiGi's programs and events. Her daughter Abby won the Participant of the Year Award at the 2022 Gala because they attend every program possible even though they live outside of...
Love Our Team – Brett Seitz
Earlier this week we shared some love for our St Ambrose Interns. Today we're back to our board members! Please meet Brett Seitz! He and his family have been part of GiGi's since 2016 and he joined the board in 2019. Brett works for Ascentra Credit Union and brings his...
Love Our Team – Cassie, Maude, and Jaide
If you've been following along, you've seen that during the month of February, we've been showing some love for our team on social media and in our blog. So far we've highlighter a few board members and program leaders. We'd be amiss if we didn't highlight our spring interns. This...