Believe in our Build: Here We Grow Again!
Have you been following along with my adventures at the Playhouse this week? Did you guess where I was??
I am so excited to announce that all of my photos this week (and Armando’s!) were taken in our NEW EXPANDED PLAYHOUSE SPACE! Located directly next door to the current Playhouse, the new space is currently under construction (hence the hard hat – safety first!) and will soon become the home of GiGi University.
Just this week, GiGi’s Playhouse Southern Tier celebrated our 7th anniversary in the community! When we opened our doors in Vestal in 2019, we were serving some 80 families. Quickly outgrowing that original space, we moved into our beautiful new facility in the Oakdale Commons in 2023, where we now reach a database of nearly 700 families. We continue to welcome new families and new participants each month. Our adult population is our largest and fastest growing segment and we are so excited to be able to launch GiGiU, a program specifically designed to support that group!
GiGi University (GiGiU) is an innovative postsecondary education and vocational training program created for adults with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Built around the pillars of Healthy U, Whole U, and Confident U, GiGiU addresses a critical gap in the lifelong support and advancement of individuals with Down syndrome after they graduate from high school.
GiGiU redefines what postsecondary education can look like for adults with Down syndrome by offering a first-of-its-kind, track-based model that integrates general education, career readiness, and formal leadership development under one cohesive framework. The innovation lies in its intentional blending of academic structure with person-centered flexibility, ensuring that every participant has access to a meaningful, individualized path forward.
GiGiU isn’t just filling a gap; it’s building a new standard. One that is research-informed, equity-focused, and scalable. It holds the power to transform lives and with the right support, to do so quickly and sustainably.
At the heart of GiGiU is a dynamic model that harnesses the power of people—skilled instructors, committed mentors, and engaged community volunteers to deliver meaningful education and support. This approach not only deepens the participant’s experience, but also strengthens the surrounding community by fostering empathy, inclusion, and shared purpose.
The GiGiU curriculum will focus on several core areas:
- Healthy U – Topics will include:
- Nutrition and Meal Planning
- Personal Hygiene and Self-Care
- Physical Fitness and Exercise
- Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships
- Mental Health and Coping Skills
- Managing Medications and Doctor Visits
- Whole U – Topics will include:
- Financial Literacy
- Independent Living Skills
- Creative and Recreational Arts
- Social and Emotional Development
- Confident U – Topics will include:
- Technology and Digital Literacy
- Self-Determination and Advocacy
- Career and Professional Skills
- Community Engagement and Leadership
We are working hard to get ready to launch our pilot GiGiU courses in Fall 2026 in our brand new space! In addition to making the physical space just right for our participants, we are reaching out to community and governmental organizations, exploring new partnerships with Binghamton University, and building relationships with local companies that may provide future internship and employment opportunities.
We are looking forward to sharing more information as construction continues and our programming develops! If you are interested in supporting GiGi’s Playhouse and GiGi University, please visit our Here We Grow Again! capital campaign page or contact me at [email protected] to learn more about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities!
Onward and Upward,
Jan
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