Meet our Ambassador Clark – Our Best of All story
November was a busy month for our Ambassador Clark. A huge shout out for his determination in spreading the GiGi’s word of becoming a donor as well as collecting donations for our Party with a Purpose. Clark has a goal of challenging himself and being flexible which we all know...
Stefania’s happy place is the beach!
Stefania and I moved from Cleveland, OH to San Diego to be closer to family...my sisters (aunties). We have lived here now since August 2022 and so happy to be here. Love the sunshine! Stefania's happy place is the beach. For her 16th birthday, she asked to have...
Growing up with a little brother with Down syndrome
Cesilie and Mateo Candelario "When first hearing about the DS diagnosis I cried, a lot. I was scared for the life he would have. I never thought he would live a bad life or be a burden, I was scared of the people that don't understand...
Meet our wonderful NEW Site Manager!
Marissa (Rissa) is a rehabilitation counselor with a specialization in cognitive disabilities. She holds a rehabilitation counseling certification, utilizing her skills in the field of different abilities encouraging folks to explore their gifts in a wide variety of vocational settings, personal development and socialization skills. She is a long-term...
Meet Valerie: our Awesome Volunteer and GiGi’s Kitchen Program Lead
Valerie S. Volunteer at Friends, Fun and Fitness, Fantastic Friends and GiGi's Kitchen Program Lead Valerie S., originally from Riverside, CA has been volunteering with GiGi's Playhouse San Diego since Fall 2021. She started volunteering with GiGi's Playhouse because some of her very best friends in the world have Down...
The magnificent mother-son duo: Trish and Zander Candia
Trish and Zander Candia Our volunteer Trish Candia, originally from Oregon, moved to San Diego because of the SUN! Trish and her son Zander have been consistently volunteering at GiGi’s San Diego for almost 1 year. Trish has been an elementary school teacher for 20 years and felt that...
Meet our little folkloric dancer!
About Carmen Carmen has been participating at Gigi’s Playhouse San Diego since the Summer of 2018. She started with music therapy with Ms. Lindsay. Carmen was so shy and introverted at the time. She was 4 years old at the time and it was the first time Carmen...
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...
Meet 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....
Best 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...
December 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...
San 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...