SIMI
VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a ribbon cutting 21 years
in the making. GiGi's Playhouse, the only network of Down Syndrome
Achievement Centers, is thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of
its newest Playhouse in Simi Valley,
CA, on Saturday, August 17.
The Simi Valley Playhouse marks the landmark 60th
brick-and-mortar location for GiGi's Playhouse, a significant
expansion since the nonprofit's inception in 2003.
Founder and Chief Belief Officer Nancy
Gianni, along with her daughter GiGi, the namesake and
inspiration of GiGi's Playhouse, will attend the Simi Valley Grand
Opening to celebrate this momentous occasion and usher the new
Playhouse into the community.
"I'm ecstatic to welcome GiGi's Playhouse – Simi Valley as our 60th Playhouse,"
said Nancy Gianni. "21 years ago, I
opened the first GiGi's Playhouse. I was a scared mom on a mission
to change the world. 59 locations later, we're still growing and
providing free programming to the world!"
After her daughter GiGi was born with Down syndrome,
Nancy Gianni was a 'scared mom'
determined to change how the world views Down syndrome. In 2003,
she opened the very first GiGi's Playhouse in Hoffman Estates, IL. The idea was simple:
celebrate Down syndrome and provide FREE programming, support, and
community to individuals with Down syndrome and their families from
prenatal diagnosis through adulthood.
Since then, the GiGi's model of free programming has expanded to
over 60 physical locations, as well as GiGi's Virtual Playhouse.
99% volunteer-run, GiGi's Playhouse provides its free programming
without any government assistance, instead relying on local and
national grants, as well as gifts and donations from generous
businesses and individuals who see the inherent value of their
mission.
Simi Valley is the latest city
to welcome a GiGi's Playhouse to its community and perfectly
exemplifies the GiGi's entrepreneurial model that Nancy Gianni created.
In 2020, two local mothers of children with Down syndrome came
together, determined to bring a GiGi's Playhouse to Simi Valley. Their determination quickly
turned into a grassroots movement. Led by twelve mothers, the
GiGi's Playhouse - Simi Valley
team worked tirelessly for four years rallying the community,
building awareness, and raising money to open the Simi Valley location. Their perseverance has
now come to fruition.
About GiGi's Playhouse: GiGi's Playhouse is the only
international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers
dedicated to providing free therapeutic, educational and career
programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
With over 60 locations across the United
States and Mexico, GiGi's
Playhouse provides a lifetime commitment to individuals with Down
syndrome and their families from prenatal diagnosis through
adulthood. GiGi's Playhouse allows individuals with Down syndrome
to maximize their potential. Beyond GiGi's Playhouse, Nancy Gianni is an author and motivational
speaker. She's also the founder of #GenerationG, a movement aimed
to change how society views all disabilities and make the world a
more inclusive and accepting place for all.
For more information about GiGi's Playhouse, visit here.
Media Contact: Kris Meadows,
(815) 739-7656, kmeadows@gigisplayhouse.org
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SOURCE GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers