Posts by Olivia Goad
Volunteer Spotlight – Karen Siino
Interview with Karen Siino; Volunteer Program Coordinator at GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento Interviewed by Liam Ginnell & Claire Ramaley Karen has been with GiGi’s Playhouse since the beginning and is our Adult & Teen Program Coordinator! Volunteer Claire & Fantastic Friend Liam sat down with Karen to learn more about how she got involved with GiGi’s…
Read MoreFantastic Friends Super Bowl & “Pal”-entine’s Day Party
By Mia Siino, Self-Advocate & Claire Ramaley, Program Lead and Marketing Committee Member On Super Bowl Saturday (February 12th) Fantastic Friends hosted our second Annual Super Bowl & Valentine’s Day themed party. Our ice breaker question was who we were rooting for in the Super Bowl- the Chiefs or the Eagles. Most people picked the…
Read MoreA Safe Landing | Jaydon’s Story
I found out I was pregnant with our third child just days after we sold the baby items that our two older boys outgrew. We were living on a military Base in Texas at the time. I scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN, (although, most of the details are blurry), I remember getting an ultrasound…
Read MoreChase’s Diagnosis Story | Black History Month
Jasmine, Chase’s mom, wrote a beautiful story about her son, who has Down syndrome. She walks us through the story of Chase’s diagnosis after birth and her emotions during and soon after. Jasmine also talks about the importance of representation in the Down syndrome community and how she feels blessed to be a role model…
Read MoreGiGi’s is Like No Other | Nataley’s Success in Speech Therapy
We love sharing touching stories from families who participate at our Playhouse! Nataley’s is incredibly unique; even though our Playhouse isn’t in her neighborhood, her mom Jesana drives an hour weekly to receive FREE 1:1 Speech Therapy through the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program we offer for individuals with Down syndrome. “We signed up…
Read MoreLeaders Supporting Leaders | GiGi’s Playhouse Annual Leadership Conference 2022
GiGi’s National Leadership Conference 2022 One dedicated volunteer, our faithful Site Manager, and four passionate Board Members had the privilege to attend the National Leadership Conference in Chicago last week. Two of those Board Members have also recently taken on staff roles with the GiGi’s National Office, so they were wearing two hats this year!…
Read More“Mom, I am going to be FINE” | Samir’s DSAM Story
October is Down syndrome Awareness Month, and all month long, we are sharing stories and moments that have shaped our families’ perspective of Down syndrome in hopes of creating a better understanding of what Down syndrome really is! Today, we are sharing Samir’s story from his mother’s eyes. “When Samir was born, I didn’t know…
Read MoreWelcoming Matteo | A New Parent Story
My son Matteo was born last August and we found out a few days later that he had down syndrome. My husband and I knew nothing about down syndrome so it was very scary and confusing at first. The NICU nurse told us about GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento and I could not wait to go! I…
Read MoreA TEErific Day of Golf! | Our 3rd Annual Golf Outing at Catta Verdera Country Club
With familiar faces and many new ones, GiGi’s Playhouse Sacramento’s 3rd annual golf outing might have been the best one yet! Our golf outing took place on Monday, September 12, 2022, at Catta Verdera Country Club in Lincoln, CA, and for the third year in a row, it was a sold out event with 156…
Read MoreBuilding Friendships at the Playhouse | Teddy’s Playhouse Story
Written by: Teddy’s Mom, Eva We had been anticipating attending a GiGi’s Playhouse class since we found out about the amazing organization. Teddy just turned one, and he’s been so social, so we decided it was the perfect time. We attended an LMNOP class with one of our friends who also has a baby boy…
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