Our visit to Gigi's Playhouse Milwaukee was serendipitous. Several families from Toddlers and Kids on a Mission have visited Gigi's Playhouse Milwaukee or made friends who visit there frequently. Through conversations about how wonderful the facility is, our board decided to explore a possible event there. Our friend (and now Advisory Board member) Kristen, is a Music Together teacher also was independently exploring possibilities with Gigi's. When we discovered all our connections to Gigi's, we knew we had to do something!
On Gigi's Playhouse Milwaukee (from their website):
“GiGi’s Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. GiGi’s Playhouse offers more than 30 therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more; all of which are free of charge.
Programs are created by professional therapists and teachers who generously donate their time and expertise. All programs are based on best practices for learning styles specific to Down syndrome, and customized to ensure individual success. GiGi’s Playhouse serves infants through adults. GiGi’s Playhouse is headquartered in Hoffman Estates, IL; with 22 locations throughout the United States and Mexico, with more opening soon.
GiGi’s Playhouse makes a difference every day. Our unique points of difference empower individuals and their parents to achieve their greatest potential with confidence, independence, and joy. We have a “place”: we will never let location be a barrier to success. We have “programs”: we will never let curriculum be a boundary to achievement. Most importantly, programs are free. We will never let cost deter our families from participation or impede the achievement of our children and adults.”
I mean. How can you not be inspired and lifted by that?
On Saturday, new friends met, families found a new community resource, and we all joined in song and dance facilitated by the very talented Ms. Kristen from Music Together North Shore. We will return on March 11 for another Musical Playdate and beyond that, we look forward to many more collaborations. In the meantime, we would like to pass on the open invitation from Gigi's: All are welcome to stop in and play anytime.