Grand Opening of GiGi’s Playhouse–offering free services for people with Downs syndrome

GiGi’s Playhouse–Downs syndrome achievement centers serve children, teens and adults of all ages with Downs syndrome through free educational, therapeutic and career training programs.

GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission is to increase positive awareness of Down syndrome through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community.

There are 42 Gigi’s Playhouse locations across United States and Mexico, and one is now opening in Charlotte.

GiGi’s Playhouse Charlotte is at 9101 Kings Parade Boulevard, #102. This is in Ayrsley Town Center, in Southwest Charlotte.

Visit GiGi’s Playhouse for their Grand Opening on Saturday, April 6th, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This is a free event.

You’ll get a chance to tour the new facility, learn about the programs, and meet national founder Nancy Gianni and her daughter GiGi Gianni.

These are the kind of programs that are offered at GiGi’s Playhouses:

• Destination Discovery: Helps develop motor skills, social skills and language through purposeful play.
• GiGi’s Amina Grade 1:1 Speech & Language Program: Helps youth, teens and adults evolve and refine their speech and language skills in a 1-on-1 setting.
• GiGiFIT: Fitness activities in strength, endurance, joint stability, balance, movement control and more.
• LMNOP: Interactive program in sign language and other forms of communication, using music and language-based activities, for newborn-36 months.
• Crawlers & Walkers: Helps with motor skills, social skills and language development, for 1-5-year-olds.
• Leaps & Bounds: Focuses on social, emotional, large and small muscle group development for children ages 3-5.
• Playhouse Pals:Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program also supports gross motor skills through active games, as well as fine motor skills & self-help skills. Recommended for 5-8-year-olds.
  Kids Club: Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. This program will also support gross motor skills through active games, fine motor and self-help skills through meal/snack preparation and activities. Recommended for 8-12-year-olds.
• Teen Tastic: Focuses on building social skills with friends without Down syndrome by participating in team-based activities in a casual and fun setting. Skill development includes understanding compromise, turn-taking and problem-solving abilities. Recommended for ages 13-17-year-olds.
• Fantastic Friends: A fun night out to facilitate social interactions between adults with Down syndrome, their peers and the community. Supports the development of social skills and language through peer to peer interaction in a casual and fun setting. All adults welcome from ages 18 and up.
• Free 1:1 Literacy and 1:1 Math programs are specifically designed for individuals with Down syndrome ages 3 through adulthood. Trained volunteers teach along purposeful progressions that build confidence and mastery. Families attend each lesson and leave with practical activities to continue learning at home.
• GiGi’s Career Development Programs: Career Development Programs prepare adults with Down syndrome to gain meaningful employment or volunteer opportunities in their community.  These programs teach Confident U. Healthy U. Whole U through communication, work habits, job skills, fitness and nutrition.  These programs promote an environment of inclusion and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome.  Recommended for ages 18+.

More upcoming free things to do around Charlotte