We Are Ready to Open Our Doors

GiGi’s Playhouse San Diego Becomes a Reality

After many hours of hard work by so many wonderful people who gave selflessly, we are so proud to say GiGi’s Playhouse is opening its doors in San Diego.

So why did these wonderful people volunteer so much time (years!)? Taking away from their busy lives, working away after they put their children to bed? Sacrificing weekends away from their families and hobbies to ensure GiGi’s Playhouse became a reality here in California? In San Diego? Why are so many wonderful people – including amazing therapists – volunteering hours of their free time to lead our FREE programs? What does it mean to have one here in San Diego?

GiGi’s Playhouse is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center. It’s a volunteer-led 501(c)3 non profit that provides FREE educational, therapeutic and purposeful programs to individuals with Down syndrome. 

That sounds great, but what does it mean?

It means that the mother and father who just found out that their unborn baby has been diagnosed with Down syndrome will have the Family Room. A place with a couch where they can sit down and talk to other parents. They will meet other families who will offer more than statistics of what can go wrong. Will share their experience first-hand, share what resources are available to them and become their support network.

New parents who just had a birth diagnosis now have the Therapeutic Playground. A place to go to once they leave the hospital where they can sit down and observe other individuals with Down syndrome living and loving life! A place where their beautiful baby can already join and participate in programs.

Little ones together with their parents can learn other forms of communication to use while their verbal skills catch up helping avoiding frustrations from not being understood.

Young ones can work on strengthening their muscles in a fun group setting while working on building social skills.

Kids in school can reach their academic goals with the support of one-on-one tutoring at the Learning Lab.

Older children will have a place that not only helps them hone their social skills but also helps build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Teenagers will have a place to hang out with other kids their age in an informal social setting and work on building their confidence.

Adults will have a place they can go and meet their friends and go out for fun activities like karaoke or bowling.

It means that parents fears are put at ease. Knowing that they have become part of an organization that views them as family and sees their children as amazing human beings with so much potential. An organization that strives for the “Best of All” every day. One more step, one more word, one more than yesterday. Never a competition and is never completed.

GiGi's Playhouse San Diego opens its doors

GiGi’s Playhouse means all this and so much more. And now we have one in San Diego!

We thank every single volunteer. Every single donor. Every single family. Without you all this would not be happening. We also ask that you continue to spread the word. Tell everyone we are here. We will always need volunteers, sponsors, cheerleaders. Help us grow so we can reach more families!

Please join us in celebration for our Grand Opening, this April 7th, 2018 from 1:00-3:00pm.

RSVP here!

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2 Comments

  1. Amy Archer on March 23, 2018 at 9:47 am

    Way to Go, San Diego!

    • sraisortiz on March 29, 2018 at 12:07 am

      Thank you Amy!!

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