Developmental Support
Gigi’s Playhouse
“We change lives through the consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community, through a replicable playhouse model.”
Website summary of what GiGI’s offers:
Offers dozens of GiGi's Playhouse offers dozens of therapeutic- based programs that provide vital gross motor, fine motor, developmental, fitness and speech & language programs.
Offers free one-on-one tutoring in literacy and math to increase success in school using best practices that maximize achievement.
Offers goal- oriented programs for adults that focus on the development of self- confidence, real world skills, health and wellness, and career skills. Our Confident U, Healthy U, Whole U philosophy increases quality of life and job opportunities.
Breaks down barriers and changes the way the world sees individuals with Down syndrome by fostering acceptance and hope for everyone through our #GenerationG campaign.
Zoe’s Toolbox
“At 3 months old we were home again with a mended heart and new goals of at home Early Intervention therapy. During our first appointment, I remember the therapist being so kind and understanding of how overwhelmed I looked. I was trying hard to take every note and understand every activity she was doing with Zoe. The therapist ended the session with a list of a few therapy tools I should order that would be helpful. For some reason that list pushed me to my emotional breaking point. Everything we had been through caught up to me in that moment. It was something as simple as a list of items, but that list felt like a huge mountain to cross over and the thought of physically adding something to my plate felt impossible. That moment brought me to my WHY! Over the last 3 years I have leaned on families in the Down syndrome community for advice, support, prayer, and hope. This community has been a lifeline for me and my family when our world felt heavy and overwhelming. Zoe’s Toolbox is my way of giving back to this community that has given so much to me and my family.”
Over the last 3 years I have leaned on families in the Down syndrome community for advice, support, prayer, and hope. This community has been a lifeline for me and my family when our world felt heavy and overwhelming. Zoe’s Toolbox is my way of giving back to this community that has given so much to me and my family.”
There are currently 1,000 families on a waitlist who have requested a toolbox to help their child in therapy. The need is clearly HUGE!
Consider donating to Zoe’s Toolbox and help them clear their list to show families that they are not alone in early intervention therapies!
“Zoe’s Toolbox was created to provide early developmental therapy tools to families in the Down syndrome community.”
Karmel Garcia is Zoe’s mom, and she is yet another exceptional mom who saw a big gap and decided she would do her part to fill it. Like Annie, Zoe needed open heart surgery a few months into life. During this time, Karmel felt a weight of guilt that she was not able to work on therapy skills with her daughter with so much focus on pre-op care and post-op recovery. This is a common theme for Ds heart warrior moms.