“For people like ME” – Stephen | GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento Down Syndrome Achievement Center

Stephen is one of our Fantastic Friends participants, and GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento has been an important place for him this past year. A few years back, Stephen’s sister Dianna found that we were planning to open by searching for local Down syndrome resources in her area on the internet. She found our website and, since that moment, eagerly looked forward to our Opening Day for her brother!

We are so grateful for everyone at GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento. The pandemic affected Stephen’s mental health and he, like so many of us, became depressed. He is a very social guy, and his day program has been closed this entire time. When GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento Grand Opening was announced, we told him about it and how it was a clubhouse only for people with Down Syndrome. He got lost in thought for a second as he processed the news, and then he turned to me and said, “for people like ME.” and pointed to himself with pride.

THIS is what he was missing, a sense of community. GiGi’s Playhouse is very important for him socially. He has been more “himself “since we’ve been attending. When he talks about his friends at GiGi’s he always has a little smile on his face, and it warms my heart to see. He has also recently started speech therapy with Danielle, and we are all learning so much! He absolutely loves it and has already started speaking a bit more clearly! My family is eternally grateful to Nancy and GiGi and all of you who have volunteered and made GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento such an incredible success! -Dianna

GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento Grand Opening Celebration!

So proud of the pet rocks he made at Fantastic Friends!

Stephen came to our Grand Opening Celebration in May 2021 and has been attending our Fantastic Friends program ever since! He and his sister also came to help out at our Toys for Tots Drive-Thru this past Christmas. We love having Stephen participate at the Playhouse, and it warms our hearts to hear from Dianna how we have impacted his life this last year.

When asked what he loves the most about GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento, he said, “My friends and my jobs!”. He loves when our Site Manager Kim Cheers puts him to work!

Helping bring in all of the toys from our Toys for Tots Drive-Thru.

First Place Winner in our Ginger Bread House Contest at Fantastic Friends!

We look forward to being a part of Stephen’s journey through life, supporting him and his family in any way. We hear he is already planning to celebrate his 28th birthday this May at the Playhouse! 

Putting together the Winning Ginger Bread House.

Decorating Holiday cards at our Cocoa and Crafts night at the Playhouse.