New Improved Learning Labs – Same Great Purposeful Programs

As many of you know, we began an expansion project this past fall. This project opened up the wall between our original space and allowed us access to the vacant space next door. In the vacant space, there were 6 preexisting office spaces that have allowed our staff to now have appropriate and professional office space and also a dedicated workroom for our amazing volunteers! The 3 remaining office spaces have resulted in 3….yes, THREE, all-new, spacious learning labs.

The new improved learning labs are larger, set up for youth through adults with appropriate sized tables and chairs, equipped with topic-specific materials and supplies which means they are less cluttered and provide less distraction during sessions. When arriving for one-on-one sessions, you will also see a different flow to entering the learning labs. You no longer need to walk through the main room of the Playhouse. No more struggling with your loved one wanting to play on the slide or in the house. (You can set aside time to play once your one-on-one session is finished. This is a great motivator!) Once signed in on the iPad you simply walk to the adjoining room to the learning labs. You will be greeted by staff or the volunteer tutor and instructed to the learning lab you are assigned to use.

Learning Lab 1 – Purple Room – Speech

Learning Lab 2 – Green Room – Math

Learning Lab 3 – Blue Room – Literacy

Each learning lab is equipped with an iPad, laptop, dry erase board, curriculum-specific games, activities, plus more. Each room also has a window for viewing if your child is ready to be independent during their session. With plenty of floor space, you may witness learning with large motor activities in addition to table work which is ideal for our friends with Down syndrome and the need for continual movement to develop muscle tone.

While it sounds like we gained a lot of new materials and equipment, we have not! We were able to utilize the plethora of items that were previously packed into one learning lab and were sometimes hard to access. With that said, we have been able to get some new items thanks to having additional space and our Amazon wishlist.

Applications for the spring 2022 One-on-One Tutoring and Speech session close Sunday, January 9, 2022. The session will run for 15 weeks beginning the week of January 30th.

Let’s fill these new learning labs with smiles, laughter, and learning. Complete your application today. Just a reminder these programs like all programs at GiGi’s are FREE! Not able to attend tutoring in person? Virtual sessions are still available! You choose the time, day, and virtual or in person!

Additional information about these FREE Purposeful Programs can be seen via the links below. Apply while you’re there!

Math Tutoring

Literacy Tutoring

Speech & Language Therapy

This is all part one of the expansion projects! Part 2 is in the works. What is part 2? We are working to reconfigure the small kitchenette space into a fully functional kitchen to allow for more life skills programs which include the GiGi’s Kitchen program and GiGi Prep too! This portion of the project is dependent on funding and/or donations of construction equipment and manpower. Know someone that can help? Let us know!

We’d LOVE to show you the new space! Stop in for a tour sometime soon!

 

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