GiGi's Playhouse Helps People With Down Syndrome Achieve All They Can

While California has a lot of services for people with Down syndrome, it usually involves a lot of struggle with state agencies and that can be very frustrating for families for those who are trying to help their loved ones live their best lives.

Ellie Hill Reese's son Halsten has Down syndrome and she has been working hard since his birth to ensure that he gets all the help and support he needs. She works with an organization called Gigi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers.

GiGi's Playhouse is an organization with a purpose to help support people with Down syndrome and their families. They seek to change the way the world views Down syndrome and help create a world where all individuals with Down syndrome are accepted and embraced in their families, schools and communities. They work daily to help provide FREE educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community.

They are building a center in Simi Valley that will serve LA and Ventura counties to help those that need speech therapy, Math/English tutoring, workout classes, early intervention services for newborns and more. They have programs that help siblings and families learn how best to help their loved ones achieve all that they can. They are volunteer run and donation driven, and you can help them continue their work

This Saturday there's a special event, the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge 5k/1 Mile Inspirational Walk/21 Yard Dash for Down syndrome at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Center Community Center in Simi Valley.

Ellie joined Jennifer this morning on Wake Up Call to tell us more about her son Halsten, GiGi's Playhouse and their upcoming event, listen to her interview below.

You can donate to Halsten's team here!

Visit the GiGi's Playhouse website to find out more about their efforts to help and support people with Down syndrome and their families.