#MyDSStory – Sibling Power!

During Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, we asked our families and community to share stories as part of a #myDSstory campaign. This submission is from an amazing sibling who is constantly changing the way the world views Down Syndrome! “My sister, Ali, who is fourteen months younger than me, is the most hard-working, resilient, and compassionate…

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2021 In Review

As 2021 ends, we look back at the challenges, successes, and accomplishments of this year!   2021 was another tough year, still dealing with the fluid nature of the Pandemic. Our planning consisted of many questions that we did not know the answers to. Can we reopen yet? Is it safe to welcome families back? How do we keep…

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Volunteer Appreciation Month

Volunteer Appreciation Month  As we wrap up our Volunteer Appreciation Month, we want to highlight even more volunteers that have stood out this month. April may be the month that we show our appreciation, but we never stop being thankful for our dedicated, generous, motivated, enthusiastic volunteer team that grows each month! Volunteer Facts: We…

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Fall Successes, Achievements and Best of Alls

In 2020, we learned how to navigate virtual tutoring and strived to make our 1-1 tutoring programs the best that they can be. Everyone involved in our tutoring programs worked hard to create online and interactive resources and materials, we introduced program bags to maintain the multi-sensory element of our literacy and math programs and…

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End of Year Reflections

This month, I will celebrate my 3-year anniversary of being the Program Director at GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester. The past few weeks I have been reflecting on my time here, all the experiences I have shared with each and every one of you and how the Playhouse has evolved during this period. During these wonderful three…

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Never Stop Trying – You Do Make a Difference

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight and Best of All goes to Sushma and her math student Patricia. From the first day of tutoring, Patricia clearly demonstrated that she was not interested in going upstairs to the Learning Lab. Over time, Patricia did move from the couch to the table downstairs and would work for whatever time…

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Inspire to Give

Frankie, a vivacious 20-year-old with Down syndrome, has been part of the GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester community since we opened four years ago. Ro and Frankie have intimate experience with the positive and integral role GiGi’s plays in our families lives. In 2018, Ro’s husband Michael unexpectedly passed away, leaving Frankie without a father. Having GiGi’s…

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In Honor of a Wonderful Father and Husband

On Saturday, July 13th, I had the honor of attending the 1st annual dinner/dance to celebrate the life of Michael (“Mikey”) Sibrizzi. I did not know Michael, but I do know that he was the beloved husband of Ro Sibrizzi and father of Frankie Sibrizzi, a GiGi’s participant. Based on the stories shared by his family…

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GiGi’s Playhouse, Wizards and Me!

On Saturday, March 23rd the GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester community gathered at the Tappan Hill Mansion to celebrate and raise money to continue to provide free and purposeful therapeutic and educational programs to individuals with Down syndrome. What a fantastic evening! We ate, danced, laughed and listened to some powerful and inspiring speeches. One of those…

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Outta the Mouths of Mom’s and Dad’s

Pictured: The Hinkaty Family Every now and then, more now than then, we hear a parent or sibling express how GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester has changed their lives.  Here are 2 such comments: “I was happy to find a place where I could talk to other parents. I didn’t feel alone and GiGi’s Playhouse made me…

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