Better Together: Building Community Through Partnership with GiGi’s Playhouse

I have been lucky enough to partner with GiGi’s Playhouse in several different capacities, and in each one I am reminded of how lucky we are to have an organization like GiGi’s in our community. As the Outreach Coordinator at Cary Estate Planning, it is my goal and responsibility to make sure our families have all of the resources and support they need for their children in whatever phase of life they’re in. I strongly believe that sharing resources with our families is more than just providing a name and number, so I have set out to personally meet as many providers and organizations as possible to ensure that our clients and families are truly in the best hands. One of my first meetings several years ago was with GiGi’s President, Michelle Pfeiffer. I toured the original playhouse and listened as Michelle passionately described the many programs and ways that GiGi’s has served our community, from in-house tutoring and programming, to Victory Day with NC State and job training and support for their adult participants.

In addition, it is our top priority at Cary Estate Planning to provide peace of mind to our families. A huge piece of that puzzle is being able to offer them appropriate and comprehensive support for all of their needs, not just within the confines of future planning. When we are able to refer our families to an organization like GiGi’s Playhouse, we know we are sending them to a place of community and belonging, offering that peace of mind for everyone involved. Further, connecting families to GiGi’s is one of my favorite parts of my job because I know that our families will be cared for and treated with kindness and dignity. 

During this same meeting with Michelle I talked about another nonprofit organization I am a part of, Five Hearts Therapeutic Horsemanship. I knew that a partnership between the two organizations could be incredible! Since that time, GiGi’s Playhouse Adult Achievers program has come out to the farm almost monthly to enjoy time with our horses through different activities and games, therapeutic groundwork, and grooming. We have watched as participants have gone from staying as far away from the horses as possible, to now walking onto the farm with open arms and excitedly greeting their equine friends. Seeing each of these participants grow in their confidence, communication, and self-esteem around the horses is something that wouldn’t be possible without the type of programming and support that GiGi’s offers. 

GiGi’s Playhouse has been an invaluable partnership for both Cary Estate Planning as well as Five Hearts Therapeutic Horsemanship. I have been extremely fortunate to work with them in these different capacities, both of which have changed and are continuing to change the way our communities see and treat our loved ones with Down syndrome and other disabilities. I have also been lucky enough to listen to Matthew Schwab speak on the importance of hiring people with Down syndrome, and we were lucky enough to work with him for a short time at Cary Estate Planning. The common thread in all of these opportunities and partnerships is that we are all truly better together. Our communities work best, when they work for all of us and GiGi’s playhouse is a living and breathing testament to this. I am so proud of and grateful for my work and partnerships with GiGi’s and couldn’t be more proud and excited for their continued success in our community, as well as nationwide!