Participant Spotlight: Mariana’s Place to Shine: Finding Community at GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego

At GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, we believe every individual with Down syndrome deserves a place where they are celebrated, supported, and empowered to thrive. From the moment families walk through our doors, our goal is to create a welcoming community where individuals with Down syndrome can learn new skills, build confidence, make friends, and simply be themselves, while caregivers and parents find connection, encouragement, and support alongside them.

For Mariana, age 1, and her mom Rosa, GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego has become exactly that: a place to grow, connect, and feel at home.

Finding Support and Community

Rosa first learned about GiGi’s Playhouse years ago while working as a caregiver for children and teens with Down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities. When she was pregnant and learned Mariana would be born with Down syndrome, she began searching for support and resources.

“I started looking into Facebook groups and reaching out to people I knew who had kids with Down syndrome,” Rosa shared. “They reminded me about GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego.”

That connection quickly became an important part of their lives.

“Everybody Sees Mariana as Mariana”

When asked what she loves most about GiGi’s Playhouse, Rosa shared something that perfectly reflects the heart of our mission:

“Everybody sees Mariana as Mariana. And Mariana can be Mariana. There’s no judging, nothing negative for her. They love her how she is.”

For Rosa, the Playhouse is more than just a place for programs, it’s a community where Mariana feels safe, comfortable, and excited to participate. Over time, Mariana has built friendships with other children and families and has grown more confident in social settings.

“She loves being around other kids and adults. She loves making new friends,” Rosa said. “She already knows the Place. She knows the kids. She knows the parents.”

Rosa has also watched Mariana learn and grow through her experiences at the Playhouse.

“She has learned how to share, how to be around other children of different ages. It encourages her to crawl. She wants to participate. She sees other kids walking, and of course she gets up and tries to give her steps.”

The Power of Music and Early Learning Programs

One of Mariana’s favorite parts of GiGi’s Playhouse is music.

“She loves music,” Rosa shared. “That’s also how she started going to Music Therapy.”

Programs like Music Makers at GiGi’s Playhouse are designed to support important developmental milestones while creating joyful, engaging experiences for participants and families. For babies and young children with Down syndrome, music-based programming can help encourage communication, strengthen motor skills, build social connections, and increase confidence through movement, rhythm, and interaction.

Music also creates opportunities for children to imitate sounds and actions, practice turn-taking, improve attention skills, and engage with peers in a fun and welcoming environment. Just as importantly, these programs give families a chance to connect with one another, share resources, and build meaningful relationships within the Down syndrome community.

For Mariana, music has become something she now looks forward to every time she visits the Playhouse.

“She expects when we’re there to have music,” Rosa said.

A Need for More Inclusive Opportunities

While Rosa is incredibly grateful for the programs and support at GiGi’s Playhouse, she also shared how difficult it can be to find inclusive activities for young children with Down syndrome in the broader community.

“It’s kind of sad and disappointing that there isn’t much for our children to do out in the community,” she explained.

She hopes to see even more opportunities for families like hers to gather, learn, and connect.

“I really wish they could offer more time that we can go and take our kids another Saturday or some other days,” Rosa said. “Sometimes that’s how we learn more from other parents.”

That sense of connection is one of the reasons GiGi’s Playhouse exists, to ensure families never feel alone on their journey.

“It’s Like Our Home Too”

As Rosa reflected on her family’s experience, one message stood out most: gratitude.

“I would like to say thank you to all of you, all the staff and volunteers,” she shared. “They are all so nice and so helpful when we get there. Most of them already know Mariana.”

For Rosa and Mariana, GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego has become more than a program space.

“It’s like our home too,” Rosa said. “Mariana feels safe, she feels comfortable. She’s happy.”

Stories like Mariana’s remind us why inclusive, supportive spaces matter so deeply. Every child deserves a place where they are celebrated exactly as they are, and every family deserves a community that walks alongside them.

We are so grateful to Rosa for sharing her family’s story and for being part of the GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego family.

Supporting GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego

Your support helps make FREE programs like Music Makers possible for participants like Mariana and families across the Down syndrome community. By donating to GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego, you help create a place where individuals with Down syndrome are celebrated, empowered, and given every opportunity to thrive. Donate today and help us continue changing lives through purposeful programs, connection, and acceptance for all.