July is Disability Pride Month! And we celebrated by visiting two of our Playhouse participants, Kiera and Brian, at their jobs at Gerry's Cafe! Gerry's Cafe proudly employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities! At GiGi's, we prepare our adult participants for the real world. Our Professional programs arm our participants with the tools they need to secure long-term employment. But once our participants complete our programs, they need employers to hire them! That's why businesses like Gerry Café are so important! Want to learn more about our Professional programs? Click here:https://lnkd.in/eCVjcvS #downsyndrome #disabilitypridemonth #downsyndromeachievement #inclusionmatters
GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
Non-profit Organizations
Hoffman Estates, IL 7,793 followers
Educate. Inspire. Believe.
About us
GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY nationwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers; changing lives through free, results-driven programs for individuals of all ages, families, and communities. GiGi’s Playhouse is an inspirational and dedicated place for families to celebrate their child and benefit from free programs that unleash joy, confidence and continuous improvement. Playhouses empower children and adults to achieve their “Best of All” and to pursue their dreams. Founded by GiGi's Mom, Nancy Gianni, in Hoffman Estates, IL, the organization now includes 44 community Playhouses including the first global Playhouse location in Mexico. In helping individuals with Down syndrome, we can address our larger vision of global acceptance for people of all abilities. GiGi's Playhouse changes the way the world accepts individuals with Down syndrome. With 44 locations and growing, GiGi's Playhouse reaches more than 10,000,000 people through our website e-mail and social media. From GiGi's Playhouse Founder Nancy Gianni: "Typically when a business works as hard as we do, you grow your profits. That is why you go in into business! GiGi’s growth is extraordinary, but our profits are not measured in dollars but in the lives, we are changing every day. I know our model of free educational, therapeutic and career programs would not fit into any Fortune 500 CEO’s business plan, but do you know who wins with our plan? The kids and the world!" GiGi’s Playhouse has been featured on NBC Nightly News with Kate Snow and on Tom Brokaw's radio show, the TODAY Show, as well as on numerous TV outlets nationwide. GiGi's Playhouse was also chosen as the 2017 beneficiary of the Northwestern University Dance Marathon! For more information, please contact us at info@gigisplayhouse.org
- Website
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http://www.gigisplayhouse.org
External link for GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Hoffman Estates, IL
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2003
- Specialties
- FREE Therapeutic, Educational and Career Programs, Positive support and networking for parents and siblings, 97% Volunteer Led Programs, and Generation G Campaign for greater acceptance
Locations
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Primary
2350 W Higgins Rd
Suite 440
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169, US
Employees at GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
Updates
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Individuals with Down syndrome get the job done... Literally! Congrats to Alle Sayers, who's showing the world exactly that! Alle's a permanent part-time employee at Virgin Australia. Last week, she presented on a panel at the World Down Syndrome Congress to share her experience of gaining employment! At GiGi's Playhouse, we're dedicated to finding our adult participants long-term employment. Our GiGi Prep, GiGi U and GiGi Professional programs give adults with Down syndrome the skills and training they need to secure work! But we still need businesses to see the value in hiring individuals of ALL abilities. Shoutout to Virgin Australia for leading the way, and an even bigger shoutout to Alle for changing perceptions! Want to learn more about GiGi's career training programs? Click here: https://lnkd.in/dvR38rM #gigisplayhouse #downsyndrome #disabilitypridemonth #breakingnews #inclusionmatters
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At GiGi's Playhouse, we're working to change the world, but we're not doing it alone! Congratulations to last month's Core Values Champion, Laura Krueger! As the Program Coordinator for our Virtual Playhouse, Laura brings incredible enthusiasm to work every day. Deeply passionate about working with individuals with Down syndrome, Laura's committed to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world! It's employees like Laura who are leading the way, making a difference, and helping us change the world. We're beyond grateful for Laura and all our incredible employees! Want to meet world changers like Laura? Come to a Playhouse (brick-and-mortar or virtual) and see all the incredible things that are happening! Find a Playhouse near you: https://lnkd.in/e68rzJk #GiGisPlayhouse #downsyndrome #employeespotlight #downsyndromeawareness #makingadifference
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Be Accepting. Be Generous. Be Kind. Our #GenerationG message is simple, but don't let its simplicity fool you -- the message is vital. The world at large still doesn't know how to talk about Down syndrome, or any disability. That's where #GenerationG comes in. We're here to start a conversation and give a VOICE to all those with disabilities! ...But we need your help! Become a part of #GenerationG Help us start the conversation... help us make the world more ACCEPTING for all! Take the #GenerationG pledge at iacceptyou.org today!
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At GiGi's, we change lives. But it's not just our participants or their families whose lives we change – it's also our volunteers! Like Mary Ann from GiGi's Playhouse Quad Cities, our Playhouses provide a place for volunteers to come in and gain a new outlook on the world! Volunteer with GiGi's. Gain a new perspective. Change your life for the better. Find volunteer opportunities near you: https://lnkd.in/dX2N_KE3 #gigisplayhouse #downsyndrome #inspirational #volunteer #makingadifference
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🍋🍋When life gives you lemons... Follow GiGi's Playhouse Fort Wayne lead and make a lemonade stand! Our Fort Wayne Playhouse has teamed up with their local, semi-pro soccer club, Fort Wayne FC Professional Soccer to create and operate a lemonade stand concession during the club's home matches! Not only did Fort Wayne FC generously build this lemonade stand for our Fort Wayne Playhouse, but all proceeds go to the Playhouse! Click the link to read more about how this lemonade stand is impacting both our participants and the community: https://lnkd.in/g4C6WKZr #gigisplayhouse #downsyndrome #lemonadestand #communitycollaboration #supportlocal
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IT'S OFFICIAL! We're opening our 60th Playhouse this August! It's been 21 years since our very first GiGi's Playhouse opened its door and started serving the community, and 59 locations later, we're still growing! Click the link below to read a word from our founder, Nancy Gianni, and learn about the INCREDIBLE things our Playhouses are cooking up this summer. Plus, find out where our 60th Playhouse is opening its doors! https://lnkd.in/gfHnkUpY
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Life is a journey. GiGi's is there every step of the way. At GiGi's, we make a lifetime commitment to our families and our participants, like Ramsan! From prenatal diagnosis to career skills, our programs meet babies, children, teens, and adults exactly where they are at, no matter their skill-level or proficiency, GiGi's can help! We're here for every step, setback, and accomplishment on the journey of life – no matter what, GiGi's is there! Join us on this journey. Find a playhouse near you: https://lnkd.in/e68rzJk #gigisplayhouse #downsyndrome #downsyndromeprograms #inspirationalquote #inspire
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Thank you for sharing Special Olympics Minnesota! Looking forward to seeing our participants perform their best!
Join Special Olympics Minnesota along with our friends from Best Buddies International and GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers at Target's Disability Pride event on Wednesday, July 31! Please register here: https://lnkd.in/eFYUWTA8 #DisabilityPride #InclusionRevolution #SOMN #SpecialOlympics
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"It's like walking into a hug" 👵When Kathy, a grandmother to two beautiful grandsons with Down syndrome, walked into our GiGi's Playhouse San Diego she immediately felt the love. We highlight the impact our Playhouses make on our participants, but they also have a profound impact on family members. Grandparents, parents, siblings -- EVERYONE needs a place where they can feel seen, supported, and loved. Our Playhouses provide that place. Need a hug? Come into any of our Playhouses and immediately be greeted with love, support, and acceptance. Find a Playhouse near you: https://lnkd.in/e68rzJk #gigisplayhouse #downsyndrome #interview #grandmalove #LoveKnowsNoBoundaries