My GiGi’s Story….Life-Long Relationships and Purpose! Written by: Alison
"I began attending GiGi’s Playhouse - Twin Cities, while nannying in 2015 for Maceo, a young boy with Down syndrome. After bringing him to Open Play, I quickly realized that I wanted to become more involved with this incredible organization and began volunteering that same year. Fast forward to now, I am currently...
Michael….An Eagle Scout Gives Back!
Michael, a member of our community, and an Eagle Scout, reached out to us in June of this year to ask if there was something he could do for his Eagle Service Project to be able to give back to GiGi’s, the very place that has given him so much...
A Sister’s Love…From Colombia to GiGi’s Playhouse – Twin Cities!
Hi everyone! My name is Ingrid, and I am so blessed to have the chance to write a blog entry for GiGi’s Playhouse – Twin Cities. I had such an amazing experience recently, where I discovered this precious place where people with Down syndrome are the center of all attention...
The Peanut Butter Falcon, GiGi’s Playhouse….educate. inspire. believe.
Last night we had the chance to partner with KARE 11 on a segment about the new release of The Peanut Butter Falcon that premiers this week. This movie is starring an actor with Down syndrome and is helping the world to see Down syndrome in a very positive light....
Karen, Tim, and Violet — A family that inspires!
We are so proud of Karen Ryan, Tim Lees, and Violet for all of the contributions they have made to our GiGi's Playhouse-Twin Cities, Special Olympics Minnesota, and the Down syndrome community over all the years of Violet's life. Thank you! Please watch this video, and forever be inspired!...
Sahra and Mustaf — A Mother’s Love for her Son and her Community
From the moment you meet Sahra and Mustaf, you immediately feel a sense of positivity, kindness, enthusiasm, leadership, and respect. These traits were instilled in Sahra from birth by her family growing up in Somalia, and Sahra has passed this on to her son Mustaf raising him here, in Minneapolis,...
Dahlia’s Story – Giving from the Heart!
Dahlia had her Bat Mitzvah this May. She decided, on her own, with all her gifts of cash and checks she received from many family members and friends who attended her Bat Mitzvah, that she would pay it forward to her local community. Dahlia thought carefully about all the many...
Erin – Volunteer Spotlight
Impact Story of GiGi's Playhouse - Twin Cities written by Erin, Volunteer: "Whenever Benjamin, a little boy that attends GiGi’s Playhouse - Twin Cities programming, realizes that he’s going to GiGi’s, he hooks his fingers together like they are giving each other a hug. This is the sign for friends in sign language, and I think...
Cody and Amy Jackson: History of Cody’s Dash
Shortly after Cody's birth, approximately July 2011, Amy Jackson's dear friends Andrea Johnston and Liz Meyer came to her and expressed their desire to do something for Cody and the Down syndrome community. They had in mind a 5K/Family Fun event. They started meeting to discuss the beginning stages of...
A Place We All Belong…
Maura, Benjamin's Mom, shares what GiGi's Playhouse means to her and her family. "A few months ago I learned about a place called GiGi’s Playhouse. GiGi’s is a national nonprofit organization that was created as a support system for families with a child with Down Syndrome. They support families...
Happy (Belated) Birthday GiGi Gianni!
"All this because one little girl was born…" Last week GiGi Gianni and her family celebrated her 16th birthday! Read her mom, our founder’s, blog about the impact GiGi has made on her mom, family and community in her short 16 years of life here Here in the Twin Cities...
“Mom Talk” with Marya (Charlotte’s Mom)
Happy Mom Talk Tuesday! "Mom talk" is when local Twin Cities Playhouse Moms share real stories of Down syndrome, acceptance and GiGi's Playhouse. This week we are fortunate enough to have Marya (Charlotte's Mom) share her thoughts on GiGi's Playhouse and building community after a Down syndrome diagnosis. Thanks for...