Welcome to GiGi's Playhouse Rockford
GiGi's Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community -- providing free therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more.
Featured Event
May 3, 2025
Run, Walk, or Dash with us along the beautiful,historic Stone Bridge Trail in Roscoe, which dates back to the 1850’s.
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and make a commitment to being accepting, generous and kind every day and in every way! By taking the pledge, you will join a new era of game-changers that we call #GenerationG!
On May 25, 2012, my wife and I celebrated the birth of our second daughter, Kendall. When Kendall was born, we quickly realized she did not look like a typical baby; the almond shape of her eyes immediately told us she had Down syndrome. We quickly found GiGi's Playhouse and made an immediate connection. Over the past 12 years, GiGi's Playhouse has provided my daughter and our family with hope and the necessary social, emotional, and educational programming to make her life the best it can be. As Kendall moves into her teen years, we look forward to watching her grow as she continues to experience programs like Math & Literacy Tutoring, Cheer Gems, and TeenTastics. The world is changing for the better for individuals with Down syndrome, and the possibilities are endless.
-Mike Dalke (Kendall's Dad)
When my husband and I gave birth to our first child, Colleen, more than 20 years ago, we had high hopes and dreams for her future. Our dreams changed when we found out she had Down syndrome. It wasn't until GiGi's Playhouse Rockford was born several years later, that a true community resource became a reality, helping new dreams come true. GiGi’s Playhouse supports those with Down syndrome and their families from birth through adulthood, offering tutoring, social activities, employment support and independent living skills. Colleen is now a graduate of Judson University’s RISE program, works as a paraprofessional for the Rockford Public School District, and lives on her own. We are grateful for GiGi’s Playhouse and the support it gives to Colleen and to others with Down syndrome.
-Pam Maher (Colleen's Mom)
When you receive the news that your grandchild has Down syndrome, you feel scared, worried, and helpless. GiGi's was there for us, supported us, gave us hope and helped us to see we were not alone. Our now 15-year-old grandson, Landon, has Literacy Tutoring at GiGi's each week FREE! He also attends holiday parties, engaging social programs like TeenTastics, and loves participating in GiGi’s Kitchen with his Grampy! All his programs have an educational, social, and therapeutic component. Being part of a community like the one the Playhouse offers reminds us that, although the places we have been with Landon were not the places we initially expected to go, the journey is still pretty awesome! GiGi's Playhouse Rockford helped us to realize that we were going to be okay as a family, and that Landon would have the chance to grow, learn, and become his best of all.
-Penny Wirtjes (Landon's Grandma)
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