Fantastic Friends Newcomer Soars to New Heights
In June 2025, GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh welcomed a new face to our Fantastic Friends program, Deive. Like many new participants, stepping into a new space with new people came with challenges. At first, Deive found comfort in quieter areas, like the sensory room, and would often need time to adjust...
Best of All: Celebrating Fiona & Meredith’s Growth at Shake Shack
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we love to highlight “Best of All” moments—those times when participants stretch themselves, try something new, and discover just how capable they truly are. This June, we were thrilled to witness not one, but two inspiring “Best of All” stories. Fiona and Meredith, both adults in our...
My Story with GiGi’s Playhouse: Connection, Inclusion, and Inspiration
I was first introduced to Gigi’s Playhouse when I was in 7th grade- my mom and I had just joined a charity league, and another mom and daughter pair invited us to volunteer at their program, Destination Discovery. The minute I walked in the door, I was welcomed with open...
Shelly – A Heart for GiGi’s in Every Role
At GiGi's Playhouse, we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by volunteers who go above and beyond—not just with their time, but with their hearts. This month, we're thrilled to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on Shelly: a devoted mom, advocate, board member, and cherished leader in our community. Shelly is...
From Classroom to Community: My Journey to GiGi’s Playhouse
For years, I found my rhythm in the classroom, teaching, connecting, watching light bulbs flicker on in students’ eyes. I was deeply rooted in the world of education, where every day brought new challenges and new chances to make a difference. After moving back to North Carolina, my teaching career...
Find His Voice: A Journey of Empowerment
At GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh, we're thrilled to share the inspiring progress of one of our young clients, Bently - a bright, determined young man who has undergone an extraordinary transformation. Once quiet and selective in his speech, he is now growing into a confident communicator, all thanks to his consistent...
Glenaire Retirement Community and GiGi’s Playhouse: A Partnership Grounded in Love and Joy!
May 2025 marked the one-year celebration of Gigi’s Fantastic Friends coming to Glenaire---a Senior Living community in Cary. It all started in April 2024 with a concert by GiGi’s handbells performing and grew from that beginning. To highlight our year, we recently hosted a “Gigi’s In Review” event with a...
Finding Strength, Joy, and Confidence at GiGiFIT
High fives, positive vibes, and personal best achievements! If this sounds like a fun way to spend an hour, then come join us at the GiGiFIT Kids class! Whether you’re cheering someone on, getting a workout yourself, or laughing through a round of jumping jacks, every session is packed with...
SISTERS, SEPARATED BY CONTINENTS – REUNITED BY STRENGTH, FITNESS,AND COMMUNITY
When I moved to the United States from Ukraine at the age of 15, I knew I was stepping into a completely new life. North Carolina became my new home — a place where I finished high school, pursued my degrees in nutrition science, and started to lay down roots....
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...
Celebrating Intern Appreciation Week: Honoring Charlie, Jocelyn, Jenalyn & Elizabeth
At GiGi’s Playhouse, we believe that every act of service—no matter how big or small—contributes to something truly meaningful. That belief rings especially true during Intern Appreciation Week, when we pause to recognize the dedicated individuals who go above and beyond to support our mission of acceptance and achievement for...
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day at GiGi’s💙💛
Every year on March 21st, we come together to celebrate the incredible lives of our friends with Down syndrome. World Down Syndrome Day is a time where we raise awareness, advocate, push for inclusion and have fun while doing son! This year at GiGi's, we made sure that the celebration...