Community
Crafting Inclusion: Scott’s Woodwork Empowers Jenalyn at GiGi’s Playhouse
In a world where small acts of kindness can spark immense change, Scott, a talented woodworker, has illuminated the lives of GiGi’s Playhouse participants in a truly remarkable way. Through his dedication and craftsmanship, he has extended a helping hand to Jenalyn, a cherished member of our GiGi’s family, making an indelible impact on her…
Read MoreMotherhood
“I have learned that love doesn’t have to be perfect or conventional to be real, and my child has taught me to embrace the imperfections that make life beautiful.”
Read MoreEmployment and why it matters
Meaningful employment is an essential aspect of a fulfilling life for all individuals, including those who experience Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Here are some reasons why meaningful employment is important to people who experience Down syndrome and other IDD: This is why we work so hard at GiGi’s! We see…
Read MoreMeet Rita & Abbey
Isn’t GiGi’s Playhouse just fabulous? It does say “playhouse” after all. When we lived in Wisconsin, I had heard of GiGi’s but never took advantage of any of the programs. I didn’t think they applied to my daughter who was well past being a baby! But when we moved to NC a year ago, I…
Read MoreFreely changing lives by giving their time!
The definition of a volunteer is “a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.” Yes, you read that right; FREELY offers to take part in a task. A volunteer gives up their time, energy, and so many other priceless parts of themselves to help a cause. GiGi’s is a 99% Volunteer run organization which means that there are 1,000’s…
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 More“Working with GiGi’s Amina Grace Speech & Language Program has been amazing”
The most enjoyable part about volunteering at GiGis is working with my clients. To see how hard they work and improve is an extremely rewarding feeling. I’m glad they have a place like GiGi’s Playhouse to help them excel! ~ Joyah M Working with GiGi’s Amina Grace Speech & Language Program has been amazing. I…
Read MoreThe Gen G youth board is a unique group of people because we all came together with the same goal in mind, acceptance.
After volunteering at GiGi’s playhouse on my own for a year, it was wonderful to join the Gen G youth board and be surrounded by a group of teens who loved GiGi’s as much as I did. From the youth board, I learned more about the Generation G movement which aims to spread both knowledge…
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 More“When I answered the phone, I will never forget what she said.”
When I left teaching special education to start Able Transition, I was excited, scared, grateful and fearful. The tension of all of these emotions were very real. I knew quality life-long transition planning needed to happen. But I was afraid of the what if’s and how I would manage to educate others on what transition…
Read More