GIGI S PLAYHOUSE INC

GiGi’s Playhouse Inc. was founded 22 years ago and has grown...reaching 30,000 families with FREE programs and millions of others through campaigns promoting acceptance and inclusion. The organization has grown from a single location to 61+ locations and start-ups across the United States and Mexico. We have also served participants in 88 countries through our virtual programming! We are growing at a rate of 28% per year. GiGi's Playhouse is the only international network of Down syndrome achievement centers. All therapeutic, educational, and career programs are provided 100% free to families. We are 99% volunteer run, with only 5.5% of funding being spent on general and administrative expenses. Being volunteer run means we benefit from over $6 million dollars of in-kind services annually across our network, keeping our costs down dramatically! Each Playhouse is supported by the communities in which they’re located; registered as a legal entity with local state authorities; and led by a local board of managers. GiGi's Playhouse began operating in Oregon in 2017, promoting awareness and community connection through local events and volunteer committees. The first programs were offered virtually to Oregon and SW Washington participants during the pandemic on GiGi's "Virtual Playhouse". In-person FREE programming began October 1, 2024 as GiGi’s Playhouse Portland launched six "group programs" in its newly opened Portland Playhouse, serving children 0-3 years, preschool-age, school-age, teen and adults. Programs have averaged over 200 participant program hours monthly in its six “group” programs. GiGi's Playhouse Portland will launch 1:1 Literacy Tutoring and the Amina Grace Speech Program in the first half of 2025.