GiGi's Playhouse Rochester to Reopen August 3rd
After a five-month closure due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, GiGi's Playhouse Rochester, a nonprofit Down syndrome achievement center, is excited to announce they will safely welcome back members starting on Monday, August 3.
In response to the pandemic, GiGi's Playhouse Rochester closed on March 15 to protect the health and safety of its members and families, and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
GiGi's is using the reopening plans and recommended practices for operation provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health, Monroe County Department of Public Health, and specialized training from the GiGi's Playhouse National Office to help mitigate exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
The guidance focuses on cleaning and sanitizing, employee and visitor health monitoring and screening, personal hygiene, social distancing, and mandatory mask wearing for any visitor over the age of two.
"This has been an unusual last few months, and we cannot thank our members and their families enough for all of their patience and understanding," said Jennifer Bustamante, President of GiGi's Playhouse Rochester. "Since we are an important resource for families in the Down syndrome community, we have remained committed to supporting them during this time by providing 250-plus virtual and on-demand therapeutic, educational and career training programs via GiGi’s At Home, which includes tele-therapy sessions for speech students, Dance Classes, TeenTastic, Science Experiment, and more."
"When we reopen we will do everything in our power to ensure that GiGi's Playhouse Rochester is the same safe and fun environment it once was before we closed. We cannot wait to see and engage with our families we have missed so much," added Bustamante.
To visit GiGi's Playhouse Rochester in-person, members are encouraged to view the schedule of all upcoming programs and RSVP online by visiting gigisplayhouse.org/rochester/calendar/month/2020-08 or calling ahead for an appointment at (585) 563-7487.
Advance appointments are mandatory to visit or attend any program. Program offerings, hours, and attendance will be limited at first.
WATCH: Virtual video walk-through of a visit to GiGi's Playhouse Rochester!
Live and on-demand programs continue virtually through GiGi’s at Home
Online programming via GiGi’s At Home, launched for all age groups within five days of Playhouses around the country closing, offers participants and families an opportunity to experience a full range of programs, including those that were previously not available at the Rochester location. GiGi’s facilitates over 4,400 hours of free therapeutic and educational program per week.
GiGi's summer sessions of Speech, Math and Literacy 1:1 Tutoring are ongoing. 26 volunteers trained online to be tutors. They now work one-on-one virtually with their matched student once a week for purposeful, progressive tutoring.
GiGi's Amina Grace Speech Program's speech and language pathologist, Kristin Housel, has been conducting one-on-one tele-therapy sessions for over 30 speech students.
The Ambassador Club provides opportunities for socialization and community involvement, meeting virtually on a weekly basis. Participants work on vocational, communication, and social skills to boost confidence and encourage independence through goal-oriented objectives.
Local and live virtual Dance Classes, TeenTastic, help teenaged participants navigate friendships, life skills, build confidence, and independence.
Science Experiment, a fun and educational program for all ages using objects at home.
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