Get to know: Nancy Gianni, founder of GiGi's Playhouse, Inc.

 

by Tarah Thorne from My Suburban Life:

South Barrington mother Nancy Gianni founded GiGi's Playhouse, Inc., a national Down syndrome awareness and achievement organization in Hoffman Estates in 2003, shortly after her daughter Giuliana (GiGi) was born with Down syndrome.

Gianni said that as a new mother who knew nothing about Down syndrome, she felt devastated and hopeless, until she realized that Giuliana was more like her two other children, Franco and Isabella, than different....

Gianni shared her story with Barrington Suburban Life reporter Tarah Thorne, explaining how greatly her non-profit organization has grown in just over a decade.

Thorne: Can you believe how far GiGi's has come?

No. We are truly blessed. I am constantly blown away by our growth.

Thorne: What was your goal starting GiGi's?

Educating my own community on the potential of individuals with Down syndrome. I also wanted people to have a place to celebrate and understand their diagnosis and take away some of the fear associated with Down syndrome.

Thorne: In what ways has GiGi's changed or stayed the same today?

We have now evolved into education and achievement centers, offering free one-on-one tutoring in literacy and math and 30 other educational and therapeutic programs. We also went from one location in 2003 to 22 in 2014, with several more communities working to open in their areas.

GiGi's Playhouse event to help give a voice for Down Syndrome

KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

by Kristie VerMulm from KITV 4:
A group that provides teaching and support to those with Down Syndrome is raising money to help serve more Siouxlanders.
GiGi's Playhouse was started in Chicago ten years ago by Nancy Gianni, when her daughter was born with Down Syndrome.
Now, there are more than a dozen other centers including one in Sioux City. It opened in 2009 and the numbers have grown steadily since.

GiGi's Playhouse is hosting its "I Have a Voice" gala on Saturday, February 23, at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Besides dinner, the event includes both a live and silent auction.
Tickets are still available. They're $75 a piece or a table of eight for $600. They can be purchased by clicking here or by calling (712) 226-PLAY.
If you want more information about GiGi's Playhouse click here.

Actor with Down syndrome encourages teens to reach for their dreams

By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News:
Although Peter ten Brink is a successful actor, starring in several favorite roles, it is his inspirational life’s story that wins over his audiences.

“It would be great if everyone could reach for their goals, use their imagination and love themselves for who they are,” the actor said.

The 20-year-old ten Brink has Down syndrome. And when he isn’t working in theater productions or memorizing his lines for the big screen, he is an advocate for those with special needs.

On Sunday, he met with a group of teenagers from GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley, a Down syndrome awareness and educational center that provides specialized teaching and support for individuals and their families. Sunday’s program was at the Comedy Shrine at Westfield Fox Valley mall in Aurora, a couple doors down from GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley.

People with special disabilities “can get ahead just like any other person,” ten Brink told his audience, and he graciously shared credit for his success — with his parents, Frank ten Brink and Jeannine Cleary of Glencoe, who accompany him on the sets, and with his acting coach, Sarah Rose Graber.

“I sincerely love my family – they are the best,” he said.

He said his mother often reminds him to eat healthy. “Naturally I don’t – I love french fries,” he said, drawing laughter.

When a teen asked how old he was and said he was “cute,” ten Brink replied to his fan by saying, “Ditto.”

“When Peter was born schools were just starting to include students with special needs in the regular classroom,” Jeanine Cleary said. “This new generation coming up is completely comfortable and accepting of people with disabilities.”

His parents acknowledged the days on movie sets are long, but their son is passionate about acting and he has remarkable ability for memorizing his lines.

He began acting with the Special Gifts Theatre in Northbrook and performed in productions for his school, New Trier High School. He realized his goal last year after he successfully auditioned for the leading role in the Hallmark movie “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” which is based on a true story about a group of students with special needs who overcome obstacles to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala.

On the big screen, ten Brink played a high school student with Down syndrome. His teacher was played by John Corbett of “Sex and the City” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The movie aired earlier this year on ABC-TV.

On the improv stage of the Comedy Shrine, ten Brink sat beside his acting coach Graber, who directs a theater program for adults with special needs.

Graber said she was impressed with ten Brink’s willingness to work hard, be imaginative and creative.

“It wasn’t just about learning to play this game, but it was how to play this right and get better at it. Peter definitely is very passionate about learning,” the acting coach said.

After meeting with the actor, the GiGi’s Playhouse teens watched a video of the movie with their parents and siblings, as well as about a dozen teen volunteers from GiGi’s Playhouse.

“We wanted to give the kids some inspiration,” said program leader Marissa Quiles Yelenosky.

“The movie gives me hope for my 5-year old daughter, Samantha. Whatever their dreams, there is something out there for all of our children,” Yelenosky said.

Multi-location Down syndrome awareness gala set for Feb. 25

from Northwest Herald:

GiGi’s Playhouse Down syndrome awareness centers in 10 cities, four states and two countries will come together Feb. 25 to celebrate Down syndrome awareness with galas.

Centers in McHenry, Atlanta, Chicago, Des Moines, New York, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, Rockford and Queretaro, Mexico, will be linked via satellite to spread an international message of acceptance and inspiration for individuals with Down syndrome.

This national movement for awareness of Down syndrome began in 2003 when the first GiGi’s Playhouse was started in Hoffman Estates, Scott Perlman, president of GiGi’s Playhouse in McHenry, said in a news release. Since then, 11 have opened across the Midwest, and locations in New York, Atlanta and Mexico are scheduled to open this spring.

Each location focuses on spreading awareness about Down syndrome through national campaigns, and offers free educational and therapeutic programming and tutoring.

The second annual “I Have a Voice” national gala will be an event that reaches beyond the local playhouse communities as it seeks to share the love and inspiration of individuals with Down syndrome, the news release said.

The local I Have a Voice gala will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25 at Belvedere Banquets and Events, 1170 W. Devon, Elk Grove Village. Cost is $125 a person.

To register online, visit www.gigisplayhouse.org. For your donation to benefit the McHenry
location, click on the McHenry tab.

For additional information, visit GiGi’s Playhouse McHenry, 5404 W. Elm St., Suite A, McHenry, or call 815-385-7529.

the 5K Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome

from BarringtonPatch:

When Nancy Gianni, the founder of Down Syndrome awareness center Gigi’s Playhouse and her busy team of volunteers first organized the 5k Fun Run and Dash for Down Syndrome in 2003, they had no idea of the success it would lead to.

“This keeps getting bigger every year,” an energized and excited Gianni said over the microphone from the main stage to the cheering volunteers, walkers, runners and dashers that packed the parking lots of the South Barrington’s Arboretum on Sunday, June 12..  “We have more than 2,200 participants this year, and that is awesome; but let’s try for 3,000 (participants) next year!”

If the cheering from the audience was any indication, than three thousand walkers and runners in next year’s event sounds about right.

“We are incorporating five different Playhouses from all around the Chicagoland area into this event,” Jenni Von Tobel executive director for Gigi’s Playhouse said of just some of the different walking teams that came out in support of Down syndrome awareness.  “And all the money we raise goes straight into programming.”  

The funds from the eighth annual event will not only help support the continued growth of the different Playhouses in operation, but also the 26 different therapeutic and educational programs that is offered to children with Down Syndrome at each Playhouse location.

“The proceeds will help our reading program and the newly piloted math program,” Gianni said.  “We provide one-on-one tutoring in reading and math, our two biggest programs, and that really helps the kids in school.”

Gigi’s Playhouse, which first began in Hoffman Estates, has seen some exciting growth since its inception in Gianni’s basement eight years ago.  Not only did they begin an annual event that brings tremendous support from the community and local businesses to help the center’s fight for awareness of Down Syndrome, but the Playhouse has grown to nine locations scattered throughout the Illinois and even the United States. Gianni says there is even more growth on the horizon.

“We are going international this year,” Gianni said.  “Our tenth location will open in Mexico.”
Both Gianni and Von Tobel credit the growth of the event, and the various Gigi’s Playhouses, to the amazing effort from the community.

“Volunteers are at the heart of what we do,” Von Tobel said of the more than 200 volunteers that work with the different programs in the Chicagoland area.  “We had about 125 volunteers that have been here since 5:30 this morning.”

“The volunteers have done everything, and we couldn’t have done this event without them,” Gianni said agreeing with Von Tobel.  “This event has been fantastic and everything went off without any issues.”
The inspiration for the 5k Fun Run came from a mother that hoped to enter a marathon race with her daughter, who is afflicted with Down Syndrome.  but was unsure if she would be able to.  Gigi’s Playhouse helped make that dream come true for the mother by instilling self-esteem and easing some of the fears associated with Down Syndrome.  Gianni and Gigi’s Playhouse decided to host the 5k run that has now become an annual event.  

“Our kids can walk; they can run; they can do anything,” says Gianni, who knows a little something about being inspired; after all her daughter Gigi has the genetic disease and is the inspiration behind the Playhouse.  “So we decided to have this walk to show people that our kids can do everything other kids can do.”

Perhaps it seems that one of the most important things children with Down Syndrome can do, is inspire.  They have inspired a Playhouse, an event and now a community to action.

GiGi's Playhouse

What started as a local Playhouse in a suburb of Chicago has turned into an international phenomenon, spreading awareness and inspiration to everyone it touches. GiGi's Playhouses are Down syndrome awareness and educational centers that provide resources, specialized teaching, and support to individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community!

Programs and Activities:

1. Pre-Natal Diagnosis Support – GiGi's offers accurate and positive information about Down syndrome to families who have just received a pre-natal diagnosis.
2. Open Play – Promotes networking and socializing for families with children of all ages with Down syndrome.
3. Crawlers Program – Helps facilitate and strengthen the skills in children who are at the developmental stage of crawling.
4. Walkers Program – Facilitates and strengthens the skills in children who are beginning to walk.
5. 2 & Under Group – Promotes positive beginnings for families with an infant or toddler with Down syndrome, with a focus on ongoing support and networking for new and current families.
6. Hop, Skip and Jumpers (3-5) – Promotes friendships, social skills and interactive play through creative and educational activities for pre-school and kindergarten-aged children.
7. Playhouse Pals (6-8) – Promotes friendships, social skills and interactive play through structured and educational activities for children ages 6-8.
8. Kid's Club (9-12) – This face-paced program promotes friendships, social skills and communication through creative and educational activities for children ages 9-12.
9. Teen-Tastic – This group promotes friendships, social interaction and communication through a variety of social activities, outings and games for teens aged 13-17.
10. Friday Friends – This group promotes friendships, social interaction and communication through a variety of social activities, outings for adults 18 and over.
11. Daddy and Me – Promotes positive interactions and social networking between children with Down syndrome and their male role models
12. Sibling Time – (coming soon!) Organized group that offers a positive place to share about life with a sibling with Down syndrome.
13. Family Night – This program promotes positive beginnings for new families as well as offers with a focus on positive social interactions among peers and siblings
14. Leaps and Bounds - This contemporary dance class is fun for all ages!
15. Music Class – Each session explores a different aspect of music appreciation.
16. Hispanic Group (Nuestros Angeles) – Provides support, friendship, networking and socializing for Spanish-speaking families
17. Polish Group – Provides support, friendship, networking and socializing for Polish-speaking families
18. Literacy Program – This internationally renowned program teaches and reinforces children and adults with Down syndrome reading, comprehension and phonics skill.
19. Math Program – Students in this program are taught applicable math skills with custom made materials.
20. Skill Builders – Reinforcing school-aged skills, Skill Builders incorporates handwriting, math, social skill development and phonics.
21. Parties – Each Playhouse has parties for …just about anything! Halloween, birthdays, 4th of July, etc. Check your local website calendars!