Q & A with Mary Jo Klein

GiGi’s Playhouse’s board of managers president talks about how the nonprofit helps more than 450 families in CNY. The agency assists those with Down syndrome

By Mary Beth Roach

Q: Can you describe GiGi’s Playhouse and what services are provided?

A: GiGi’s Playhouse is a Down syndrome awareness center. Our mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all. We change lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, as well as the community and we do it through our playhouse model.

Q: What is that model?

A: The programs we offer are all designed by individuals in our national office in Chicago. We offer literacy and math tutoring. Our volunteers are given the proper materials and the proper training, so that they can tutor. We also offer GiGi FIT a physical therapy-based fitness program designed specifically for individuals with Down syndrome by a physical therapist. We offer every level — infant, toddler, kids, teen and adult. With the older kids, we track their meals; we track their water intake because it also helps them with healthy habits. Another program is GiGi’s kitchen for kids, teens, and adults. This teaches our individuals how to safely use kitchen utensils and kitchen tools. They read