Best of All
Making a Difference
As staff, we have the privilege of experiencing the impactful work our volunteers do every day. YOU set the example, and our Programs Coordinator didn’t want to miss out. That’s why Laura signed on for literacy tutoring. Below is a note from her student’s mother: “I am writing to you because I’d like to share…
Read MoreTalking all things GiGi’s with Elizabeth a committed participant!
ALL things GiGi’s with Elizabeth H If you are a frequent visitor of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh then you have probably met Elizabeth Heenan, a 37-year-old woman with Down syndrome who is a very active member of GiGi’s! She has been volunteering and participating at GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh since 2017! We wanted to learn more about…
Read MoreWhy Community Support Matters <3
When I was 23 years old and fresh out of college, I became a Developmental Therapist. My job entailed going to different daycares and people’s homes in the Raleigh area and helping children, ages birth-3 years old, to meet their developmental milestones. There was so much joy in getting to support parents on their journey of helping their children take first steps, speak for the…
Read MoreBeing a part of GiGi’s first as a sibling provided me with a unique perspective in all of the jobs I was given during my internship.
My family and I have been a part of the GiGi’s Playhouse family since I was in middle school when we were first introduced to the amazing work they were doing for individuals with Down syndrome. We were more than thrilled to start bringing my younger sister Meredith, who has Down syndrome, to programs at…
Read MoreMy Virtual Literacy Tutoring Experience…
BLOG POST WRITTEN BY: Adasyn Neuwirth, GiGi’s Raleigh Intern (Spring 2021) My time spent in the learning lab this semester was a time of growth for both me and my participant. I had the pleasure of working with the warm and smiley Andrew, and his wonderful caretaker, Miss Joy for literacy tutoring. From the start…
Read More“Thank you for allowing us to feel normal again! We love you all…thank you for your steadfast commitment to participants.”
The Covid-19 Pandemic has been difficult for us all, especially our friends who are high risk. As we have opened our doors again, it is amazing to see the happiness and joy in our friends when they are able to come to The Playhouse and be together again. GiGi’s has always been a place of…
Read MoreThis Pen Pal program is not just about sending letters back and forth but creating long lasting friendships…
SNAIL MAIL PALS: In today’s fast paced technological world, when we think of communicating with friends we think of texting, tweeting, snapchating or DMing them; snail mail is slowly becoming obsolete but through GiGi’s PenPal program, two friends were brought closer then ever! Covid-19 has made it so hard to see our friends, so the…
Read MoreShe has a purpose and plan every day and isn’t that what everyone wants? GiGi’s has given that to her!
Carly, a rockstar participant, has helped keep our participation numbers at all time high! She is involved with virtual programming locally & nationally (averaging 7 programs/wk), the Pen Pal Program and always willing to help represent GiGi’s as a Ambassador. In all her virtual participation, she has shined with new skills & confidence and made…
Read MoreWho doesn’t love getting snail mail and meeting a new friend?!
We started a pen pal program at #GiGisPlayhouseRaleigh with GiGi’s participants + members of the #GenerationG Youth Board and UNC Women’s Basketball. Who doesn’t love getting snail mail and meeting a new friend?! Our friends from GiGi’s have been busy writing letters to their new friends, sharing about who they are and what they love…
Read More“This acceptance and patience is what will help you as you work toward your “best of all.”
In a society where, despite progress towards acceptance, exclusion and ostracization are very real and plentiful outside and even within the special needs community, Gigi’s has meant true acceptance for our family. We immediately felt our family was welcomed and at home at GiGi’s. For the first time in 9 years and many, many hours…
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