non-profit organization spotlight
GiGi’s Playhouse:
Down Syndrome Achievement Center A TRUE GIFT TO THE STARK/SUMMIT COUNTY COMMUNITY By Sarah Smith
“Acceptance to us means love. When you have a special needs child, your first thought is, ‘will anyone receive and accept our child? Will people embrace and give him a chance?’ and we have been very blessed to know that so far, 99.9% of people have accepted and loved our son. It means he gets a chance that everyone else gets. It means he gets the same opportunities.” • Jonathan and Shirley Mitchell, parents of Jesse, who has Down syndrome With over 55 locations in the United States, GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome, where individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools, and communities.
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June 2022
In 2017, a group of impassioned parents and individuals formed a start-up team with the goal of opening a GiGi’s Playhouse in the Canton/Akron area. After demonstrating the commitment and need in the community, the Canton location was approved by the national non-profit organization to open an affiliate to serve the community. The team’s dream became a reality when GiGi’s Playhouse Canton opened on April 28, 2019, as the 44th Playhouse to open nationwide and the second one in Ohio. “GiGi’s Playhouse Canton is fulfilling the dream of the Down syndrome community of having a location where individuals with Down syndrome of all ages have a place to call their own, where they feel safe and can explore their abilities through proven programs with support and celebration,” explained
