Posts Tagged ‘gigisplayhouse’
Justice for Jack! We need YOUR Help! #JusticeForJack
Jack, a freshman at Roncalli High School in Indiana and student manager for the football team, has Down syndrome and was assaulted because of it. Jack was abused, mocked, tormented, molested, and videotaped by his peers. This happened to him on multiple occasions when even a single instance is one time too many. All as…
Read MoreGiGi’s Math Program Leads to Independence
Math 2.0 The GiGi’s Playhouse One-on-One Math tutoring program has been around for over 8 years! We now have 24 locations offering math tutoring with an average of 275 enrollments per session. That is approximately 1,000 students each year! We recently had an amazing opportunity to review and renew this program, creating streamlined Purposeful Progressions,…
Read MoreKeeping a promise, even when it is scary.
When this picture popped up in my memories on Facebook, earlier this week, I got that same pit in my stomach that I had 6 years ago. Will this work, can we pay for it, did I go too far? Where am I going to get a million dollars to pay for…
Read MoreWhy Do Media Portrayals of Kids with Down Syndrome Matter So Much to Us?
I was so torn over the controversy about the Today Show segments with Shawn Johnson and Andrew East. First of all, congratulations to Shawn and Andrew! Every new parent should be congratulated, and every child should be celebrated. The anticipation of a new baby is one of the best possible gifts we get in our lives!! …
Read MoreWe do not stop here…
October, Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, is done but we do not stop here! It has been wonderful to look out at Playhouse’s across the nation and Mexico share facts, bust myths and inspire their communities on the truth Down syndrome. This quote form a Playhouse family has us all smiling very proud smiles! “My eyes…
Read MoreAcceptance is more than Awareness.
October 1 begins Down syndrome “Awareness” Month but awareness is not nearly enough. Awareness is simply acknowledging an existence, a challenge, etc. Human beings are so more than an existence or a challenge. Acceptance is an ACTION and a commitment to extend consistent value, approval, and empowerment. I’m very fortunate to work at GiGi’s Playhouse Down…
Read MoreInspiration from the Grandparent Connection
We are humbled to share a blog post called “Muscle and Momentum” from Richard Reilly – known as “Poppy” to his grandson Louis – and appreciated as both a generous friend and trusted adviser to GiGi’s Playhouse. Richard’s eloquence and passion are truly incredible, and we are excited to begin sharing monthly blog posts from…
Read MoreAngels from San Diego
From Nancy Gianni, President and GiGi’s Mom: I always struggle to describe GiGi’s because each location and each connection means so much to so many people – all in very different ways. To some families it is a learning center, to others a support center, to others a place to volunteer, but to all it is…
Read MoreGiGi’s : Stronger Together
30 GiGi’s Playhouses from around the country and in Mexico participated in our 6th Annual GiGi’s Board Conference at the Schaumburg Convention Center. It was 3 days of inspiration, education, networking and fun! The conference ended with a banquet where our adult interns with Down syndrome, who run our Hugs + Mugs store, inspired the crowd. At…
Read MoreHere’s a sneak peak……
Hugs+Mugs has been busy preparing for Gigi Fest – All of our mentors and interns have been spending their time making and packaging our V-21 Cookies and testing our G-21 Gluten free version – working hard to guarantee a Gigi Fest debut. But whats really been keeping us busy are our brand new items. …
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