Gigi's Playhouse Award Winning

PHOENIX - Nov. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- November 21, 2016

MEDIA CONTACT:
WWW.GIGISPLAYHOUSE.ORG

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE PHOENIX RECEIVES AWARD

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Gigi's Playhouse Phoenix (http://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/)  has been presented a "Super Star" award at the organization's National Conference.  The Super Star award is given to a Playhouse that is continually used as an example of the way to do things right in so many ways.  The Phoenix team was recognized for being a group of outstanding mentors that truly demonstrate the core value of "locally concerned, enterprise minded." Staff and volunteers at Gigi's Playhouse Phoenix (http://gigisplayhouse.org/phoenix/)  work tirelessly to provide free therapeutic and education programming to individuals and families impacted by Down syndrome.  The volunteer based effort serves over 175 families locally by spreading awareness, promoting advocacy and inclusion through programming, planned events and advocacy efforts.

In the midst of unprecedented growth, GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers held its National Leadership Conference Nov. 2 to Nov. 5 in Schaumburg, Ill. Some 250 leaders from 39 existing and soon-to-open Playhouses from across the country came together to work toward further expanding outreach to the underserved population of people living with Down syndrome. During an awards banquet, playhouse founder Jennifer Gage was presented with the "Super Star" honor for outstanding accomplishments in 2016.

"It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in the GiGi's Network.  We've built a brick and mortar achievement center designed to provide support for families impacted by Down syndrome and provide FREE programs for children and adults with Down syndrome. This past year we launched a kindness campaign called Generation G.  Generation G believes in acceptance for all abilities. We invite members of the community at large to join us in this movement," said GiGi's Playhouse founder Jennifer Gage. "Together, we can create a more accepting community while delivering educational and social opportunities for the Down syndrome community. We are always in need of volunteers—they are truly the life blood of the playhouse and we couldn't do what we do without them."

GiGi's Playhouse provides free life-changing therapeutic, educational and career programs for 26,000+ people throughout the country. Each month 250 new families are added, representing a consistent monthly growth of 16 percent across the network. In the last two years, 200 new communities have asked for a GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center to be established in their area. The significant growth and interest reflect a demand for programs that target the underserved population of more than 450,000 Americans living with Down syndrome.

About GiGi's Playhouse

Founded in 2003, GiGi's Playhouse is the only international network of Down syndrome achievement centers, changing lives through free programs for individuals of all ages. The organization makes a lifetime commitment to support and empower families from diagnosis to adulthood. GiGi's Playhouse also works to break down barriers and change the way the world sees people who are different, by promoting acceptance for all through the #GenerationG campaign. The goal is to have a GiGi's Playhouse in every state by 2021. The organization's national recognition is growing, with founder Nancy Gianni being named a 2016 CNN Hero. In October, she was featured on the national "Steve Harvey Show" as a "Game Changing Woman." GiGi's Playhouse survives completely on donor funds and is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization. For more information about how you can help, visit www.GiGisplayhouse.org.