March 2025 Best of All

March is always fun here at GiGi’s Playhouse Quad Cities because 3/21 is one of our favorite days. World Down Syndrome Day is a day of celebration, spreading awareness, and having fun. We are always encouraged and inspired by the community participation and support! Throughout the day we receive photos and stories from places rocking their socks to show support and the conversations that take place as a result. If you follow us on Facebook you may have seen several shared posts from local businesses, families, and more!

Participant Best of All

We welcomed a new family to the playhouse this month. Arthur is a cutie patootie. They joined us for the March LMNOP program along with 4 other families. It was nice to have a full house of babies and toddlers. Then we saw them again at the WDSD celebration. We look forward to being part of Arthur’s life and getting to know his family better.

Volunteer Spotlight

Vivian is a new literacy tutor this spring and has been a great addition to the tutoring team. Vivian and Abby have worked well together with several of their tutoring sessions taking place in the kitchen. Vivian recognizes that learning while doing life skills is more impactful than sitting at a table or desk.

Playhouse Inspiration

This month, we piloted a 4-week Destination Discovery for our teens and adults that targeted first aid and hygiene. Our OT capstone student Ms. Maddie developed this program to help increase overall independence and confidence when performing basic life skills. Some of the weekly topics covered in this program include: What is an Emergency? First Aid Application, Establishing Personal Hygiene Routines, and Medication Management.

Throughout this program, our teens and adults are learning when and how to call 911 and how to treat minor injuries on themselves. They are also practicing important hygiene routines and how to manage their own medications. All of the skills are crucial in promoting independence and confidence in our teens and adults. Additionally, our participants are getting hands-on learning experience by practicing these skills in a safe environment surrounded by their peers.

This program has proven to be an inspiration to all!

YOU can submit your Best of All stories and moments too!

Staff typically choose these stories, but we’d love to hear from you too! If you see or hear something worth highlighting, please let us know!

309-762-7529 or email quadcities@gigisplayhouse.org

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