Posts by Denise Montero
GiGiPREP: EmployAble – Our new employment prep program!
We are excited to share with you EmployAble! A GiGi’s San Diego new employment prep program. What is EmployAble?The EmployAble program is designed to prepare adults with Down syndrome for employment opportunities and/or professional settings. This program will be led by Valerie Schlieder, a doctoral of Occupational Therapy student who is focusing her studies on promoting inclusive…
Read MoreMeet Reilly – Our awesome new intern!
Reilly has ample experience volunteering with special care children, including being a Disability Aide at Messiah Lutheran Church’s Vacation Bible School (where she also leads their Sunday School for 3rd graders). She has experience working alongside teachers and students as a Teacher’s Aide, focusing on the students’ social, emotional, and physical development. Here at GiGi’s Playhouse San…
Read MoreBest caregivers a GiGi’s Playhouse could ask for
For the 2nd year in a row, we had the great opportunity to have as a group volunteer, the MENP Nursing students from UCSD volunteering at GiGi’s San Diego, but this time IN-PERSON! They were such a great leaders and took initiative on creating fun activities during our “Funday Open Play”. They volunteered from scheduling…
Read MoreDecember Volunteer Spotlight: Victoria Capdevila
Meet Victoria! Victoria started volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse in high school after meeting her best friend who has Down syndrome. She loved having a sense of community, building relationships through the playhouse, and helping participants build life skills in the kitchen. After volunteering at the GiGi’s Playhouse in Hillsborough, New Jersey for several years (including starting their Cooking…
Read MoreSan Diego local Moms, found support on each other
It all started in October of 2020, during the COVID lock-down, after a few local moms found each other via various Facebook support groups. They quickly realized they had several moms either pregnant or with babies with DS here in San Diego and decided to start a “virtual playgroup” to share ideas and offer support to…
Read MoreGrateful Participant Spotlight
Playhouse ambassador, Clark Gurley accepts the Fancy Stitches donation from Matthew and Megan Saporito. We were so honored to received a great donation from a participants great grandmother from Cleburne, TX. “My son Matthew and I have so enjoyed Gigi’s San Diego, and we love telling our friends and family all about what you do…
Read More“Cass Treat Cares” a Successful Day in Support of GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego
“Cass TREAT Cares”, a one-day event organized by volunteers of GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center dedicated to making the world a more accepting place for individuals of all abilities, was hugely successful in raising awareness for GiGi’s Playhouse and local Pacific Beach businesses. Over 200 ghosts and goblins descended up…
Read MoreNovember Volunteer Spotlight: Charlie Recksieck
This month we are highlighting an awesome volunteer Charlie R. He started being involved at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego during Covid and now he has been volunteering in different programs and events and as well as a Literacy tutor. Meet Charlie: Charlie started getting involved at GiGi’s San Diego in early 2021 actually…
Read MoreNovember Programs
We have NEW Programs!! Music Therapy FALL Schedule GiGi’s Playhouse and Resounding Joy will be offering another FREE Music Therapy for all ages (see schedule below) Siblings of any age are welcome! Please see new schedule!! Music Therapy for ages 0-4 Monday from 10:30-11:30 am Click here to RSVP for November 1 @ 10:30 a.m.…
Read MoreThe All Inclusive Day of Play and Resource Fair!
On Saturday, September 25, 2021, GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego participated at the amazing All Inclusive Day of Play and Resource Fair hosted by the Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego. The event was held at the Park de la Cruz Recreation Center and attracted close to 200 families who received information about Special…
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