My family first discovered GiGi’s Playhouse on World Down Syndrome Day 2016 when Ted was only 6 weeks old after an unexpected diagnosis at his birth and we immediately felt like it was a home away from home. As a baby, Ted joined programs like LMNOP and has grown up with GiGi's continuing to participate in everything from Little Sports to tutoring, all free of charge! We have found lifelong friendships, support, and so many resources and tools to help Ted reach his full potential. GiGi's Playhouse means so much to us that in 2018 when we took the most amazing summer trip and fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting all 30 MLB stadiums, we turned the trip into an Down syndrome awareness campaign benefiting our local Playhouse. Over the last 7 years, we have participated in programs, volunteered and fundraised, but I am most excited about our future with the Playhouse. I was recently hired on as the 4th employee and cannot wait to see the impact the Playhouse has on individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community at large. From birth to career readiness, the support GiGi's Playhouse offers is unmatched in the Ds community, maybe in any community.
When we get asked about GiGi’s Playhouse and what it means to our family and why we are so passionate about our “home away from home” one of the most important reasond why is to make sure our daughter has all the resources available to help her achieve the best life she can whatever that may be in the future. GiGi's Playhouse does this through all their FREE programs which are a ton of fun but all therapy based and purposeful.
GiGi's Playhouse is SO much more than that too!! For our daughter and all our friends to have a place they can go where they are accepted, understood and encouraged to be the best they can be. For us to have a place where we all feel at home and can both find and give support, knowledge, experience and understanding from other families. We have met so many friends who are now family that are also on this incredible journey both ahead of us that we get support from and behind us that we can be there to support. That support is so incredibly important and GiGi’s Playhouse is the reason we have that in our lives.
Our family LOVES Gigi's Playhouse. With more than 30 unique programs for individuals with Down syndrome, they make such an amazing impact in the community. Our son loves Lil' Sports where he gets to play soccer and baseball with his friends, Destination Discovery where he makes crafts and does science experiments, Cooking with Kids where he learns cooking and self-reliance skills, Karate Kickers where he exercises while learning basic self-defense, Dance Mania where he busts a move, and Kids Club where he sings songs, makes crafts, and forms positive friendships. And he's only one kid! There are so many other programs for babies and adults. All their programs are free and several programs have a hybrid option so families can attend in-person or at home. Gigi's Playhouse quickly transitioned to a virtual program during the pandemic and NEVER stopped serving our kids!
GiGi’s Playhouse serves as a valuable resource for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. All programs are free of charge and offered for all ages from birth through adulthood. We are currently serving over 900 families and adding 7-8 new families per month. Programs are designed for an individual to progressively achieve their highest potential. Since opening in 2015, we continue to witness the many achievements of our program participants. A welcoming environment for the entire family.