Down Syndrome Acceptance Month

Today is officially the end of Down Syndrome Awareness Acceptance Month.  We have had such a great time introducing everyone to 30 of our amazing participants through our daily “Spotlights” on our Facebook page.  Our specific intention over the last 30 days was to inspire people to look beyond the...

GiGi’s History

Did you know? Now you know! My 6-year-old son, Franco, created our first logo! We started as a Down Syndrome Awareness Center and our tagline was Educate Inspire Achieve. Though, whenever I spoke about the Playhouses I always added the word Believe to our tag line too! As time went...

Step To Accept FAQs

Here are answers to some of the questions we have been receiving about our Step To Accept Challenge. What is the Step to Accept Challenge? First and foremost, this is a virtual FUNDRAISER for GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford. With the cancellation of most of our fundraisers for 2020 due to COVID-19,...

What’s That Heart on Your Hand?

“Hey… what’s that heart on your hand?” I was in my own world, waiting my turn in a Sunday afternoon line at Woodman’s, contemplating my evening dinner menu.  Roasted pork loin and acorn squash had just won out in my head as I registered the inquisitive little voice asking the...

Changes

September 12, 2018 Dear GiGi’s Families, I am writing to let you know that I have resigned from my position of Executive Director as of September 21st. Although I have loved my time serving GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford, I have accepted a position with Wesley Willows as their Chief Advancement Officer....

Volunteers at GiGi’s Make A Difference

GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford is one of my favorite places to volunteer. Everyone who works and volunteers at GiGi’s is extremely friendly. The facility is really nice and organized. The best part though, is the people at GiGi’s. They are a joy and there is never a dull moment with them....

An Intern’s Experience

When I first started interning at GiGi’s Playhouse, I was excited because I wanted to experience a new environment and population. I had known that GiGi’s playhouse was a place to empower families and the community, but I have experienced so much more than just that. I am currently interning...

Meet Nancy!

Meeting Nancy! Chief Belief Officer & GiGi’s Mom Hello friends, My name is Nancy Gianni and welcome to my blog!  OK I know I started a blog back in 2008 but this time I am sticking to it!  I have no choice!  It’s my own fault, I built this amazing...

An Intern’s Perspective

I have been an intern at GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford since January of 2018. I have worked with students in the GiGi U program, tutored students in literacy, coordinated events, and I am conducting my own handwriting event. GiGi’s Playhouse Rockford has given me many opportunities that I would not have...

Prenatal Screenings: Your Key to Medical Preparedness – by Jenny Silverstone

Technological advancements like diagnostic ultrasounds, genetic testing, and prenatal screenings have taken a lot of the mystery out of pregnancy, but there is still a lot we don’t know about congenital disorders and birth defects. In fact, a full 70% of them happen for an unknown reason, and 20% are...

GiGi U 2018!

The next semester of GiGi U starts January 9th, and I cannot wait!  We have so many exciting things happening!!  The first thing that will be happening is our internship program.  This program is for participants who have graduated from GiGi U and are taking the next steps in being...

2017 Reflections

What a wonderful year it has been at GiGi’s Playhouse!  There are so many great moments that happen on a daily basis that I had to take a moment and look back through all the photos which chronicle life here at the Playhouse. As I began looking through them, I...