March Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Maggie Maggie joined GiGi's Playhouse Tampa this year, and immediately began jumping in and getting involved. She has been leading LMNOP on select Saturdays and is always willing to help with other programs when needed. She always has a smile on her face and is willing to help with anything she...

January Volunteer Spotlight – Angela

Meet Angela Angela and her son, Aaron, joined GiGi's Playhouse Tampa in the Fall of 2020 and have been regular participants ever since. When Angela brings Aaron to the playhouse, she never stays in one place long, always asking what she can do to help. She has completed various projects around...
Jenna loves playing Memory!

Amina Grace Program off to a Great Start!

  December 2021   What an amazing first session it has been for our Amina Grace 1:1 Speech & Language Program! I’d like to introduce you to one of my participants, Jenna, who has made amazing progress towards her goals. When Jenna first came to me, she was reluctant to...

December Volunteer Spotlight

Meet "Izzy" Izzy joined GiGi's Playhouse in February of this year and helps with a multitude of projects and events at the playhouse. She is currently a high school student and athlete and volunteers as often as she can. Izzy is always willing to help with any project or task...

September Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Ana! Ana Trejo is an intern with GiGi's Playhouse Tampa who came to us as a student from the University of San Diego. Due to COVID, she was sent home to Tampa to complete a year of her schooling. During that time she completed almost 300 hours of volunteering...

August Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Maria Benza Maria joined GiGi's Playhouse Tampa in November 2018 as a volunteer. Since then, she has become a program assistant for Fantastic Friends, our 18 year+ group. Maria always has a "can do" attitude and is always willing to help with anything that needs to be done. She is...

Meet Our Programs – Teen Tastic

Teen Tastic – Focuses on building social skills with friends without Down syndrome by participating in team-based activities in a casual and fun setting. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking and problem-solving abilities. Recommended for ages 13-17 year olds Increase social skills, with a focus on group participation and increasing...

Meet Our Programs – Kids Club

Kids Club – Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program will also support gross motor skills through active games, fine motor and self-help skills through meal/snack preparation and activities. Recommended for 8-12 year olds. Increase social...

July Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Alex Dayton! Alex joined GiGi's Playhouse Tampa in May as a Doctoral OT Student Intern from the University of St. Augustine. As her doctoral project, she has been running the GiGiFIT Adult Program with small groups two days a week. In addition, she has been a huge asset to the...

Meet Our Programs – 1:1 Literacy Tutoring

LITERACY TUTORING All GiGi's Playhouse programs are purposeful and progressive. They are offered at no cost to our families. The GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa FREE 1:1 Literacy program is specifically designed for individuals with Down syndrome ages 3 through adulthood. Trained volunteers teach along purposeful progressions that build confidence and mastery....

Meet Our Programs – Playhouse Pals

Playhouse Pals – Support the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also supports gross motor skills through active games, as well as fine motor skills & self-help skills. Recommended for 5-8 year olds. Increase social skills, with...

Virtual Literacy Tutoring a Huge Success!

GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa Virtual Literacy Sessions Were a HIT! By Anjali Shah  In the midst of an unprecedented summer facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Gigi’s Playhouse Tampa, FL worked diligently and proudly to create something beautiful. Despite the challenges many of us have faced in the past year, our staff at...