Creating Financial Confidence for Families with Special Needs
Welcome back, our GiGi's community! We're thrilled to share the valuable insights provided by Michael Ringel, which focuses on finance. Michael is a Chartered Special Needs Consultant with Special Needs Wealth Planning, LLC. Their purpose and mission is to help families plan for two lifetimes — the parents’ and the...
Importance of Early Exposure and Inclusion
Hello, our GiGi’s community! We had the pleasure of welcoming a wonderful group of sixth graders from Christ the King Vacation Bible School. These young volunteers spent their morning helping us brighten and organize our playhouse, assembling informational folders and creating a vibrant, beautiful banner to encourage others to volunteer...
Participant Best of All: Sophia Sullivan
GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa wants to highlight one of our participants named Sophia Sullivan. She has been making great strides in our Kids Club Program. Sophia Sullivan has been a shining example of reaching your Best of All this summer, particularly in the Tampa Playhouse's newest signature program Kids Club (for...
Launching into Learning
Welcome back, our GiGi’s community! We’re thrilled to share the valuable insights provided by Jessica Silber, our Vice President at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, which focuses on education for students with disabilities. Jessica is the Founder of Elevate Advocate LLC, brings over 16 years of experience in disability services, and is...
July’s Letter from the President: 1- on- 1 Math and Literacy Tutors Needed
Hello families and friends of GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, This is your Board President, Mike Bucalo. I hope you’re all enjoying your summer so far! I want to begin by offering a heartfelt thank you to the Cooper Family Charitable Fund, the Lightning Foundation, and Transfiguration Catholic Church for your incredible support of our Playhouse. Amazing donations...
Effective Strategies for Making Toothbrushing Easier for Sensory Avoiders
Hello, our GiGi’s Playhouse community! We were thrilled to welcome our friends from BayCare back to GiGi’s Playhouse to teach us more about the importance of toothbrushing. While it may seem like a simple daily task, toothbrushing can be incredibly challenging for individuals with Down syndrome, sensory sensitivities, and their...
Participant Best of All: Robin Brown
GiGi's Playhouse Tampa wants to highlight one of our adult participants named Robin Brown who has been making numerous strides in multiple programs as of recent. Karly, one of the speech language pathologists from the USF graduate program, has been working closely with Robin this Summer 2025 session. Karly has...
June’s Letter from the President: Board Member’s Needed
The month of June means hello summer and hello to all of you! Dear GiGi's Playhouse Tampa Families, Volunteers, and Supporters, As the newly appointed President of the Board, I'm both honored and energized to step into this role here in Tampa. The energy of summer is upon us- bringing warmth,...
Supporting Sensory- Avoidant Children with Mealtime Challenges: Tips for a Positive Feeding Experience
We're delighted to give another warm welcome to our GiGi’s community! One of our biggest goals is to continue educating our community and others about Down Syndrome and how to enhance the lives of those with Down syndrome. A common trait while having Down syndrome is sensory sensitivities. This commonly...
Volunteer Spotlight: Claudine Caballero
This month's volunteer spotlight is Claudine Caballero. Claudine’s tireless efforts and deep involvement with the 1-on-1 Literacy Program at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa make her an unsung hero to literacy tutors, participants, and staff alike. Claudine has stepped up into the role of Literacy Co- Coordinator, in addition to continuing to...
Health Conditions of Individuals with Down syndrome: Adolescents & Adults
Hello to our GiGi’s community! Part of our mission is to educate and inform our community about Down syndrome, and Dr. Brian Chicoine has helped us do just that. Dr. Brian Chicoine, Medical Director of Advocate Health Care Adult Down syndrome Center, shared a vast amount of information to help...
Participant Best of All: Aaron Sanchez
This month’s best of all is Aaron Sanchez who has been coming to the Playhouse since he was a teenager taking part in both 1-on-1 and group programs over the years, where he always brings his trademark fun- loving spirit and contagious smile. As of recent, he has made great...