Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Rackley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Down syndrome is the largest chromosomal disability in our country but the least funded per capita. GiGi’s Playhouse is dedicated to providing FREE therapeutic, educational, career building, and social programs to our families with individuals with Down syndrome. We have individuals taking advantage of free one-on-one tutoring in literacy and math, one-on-one and group speech therapy, and group occupational and physical therapy. GiGi’s Playhouse does not ask for any insurance or ID. We take everyone into our programs no matter their economic or ethnic background.

Our adult program has improved the independency of our participants and this year we were able to find valuable employment for 7 adults and had 2 move into their own apartments! We have one individual who, at 24 years old, just started working at McAlister’s Deli as he first job! 2 years ago her parents were anxious about her leaving the house without their supervision. This past week, she took MARTA Mobility on her own to get to her GiGi’s program! We celebrate these momentous strides in their independence goals!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In 2003, GiGi’s Playhouse was founded by Nancy Gianni based upon her promise to change the way the world views Down syndrome. Her mission and drive created a community of now 57 (and growing ) Playhouses serving families across the country and around the globe. This is still our mission today.

Paul and Adrienne Mulligan felt the same drive when their daughter, Sara Kate, was born in 2008. Very soon after, Adrienne launched the SKate Foundation, with her mission, “to break down old stereotypes and raise expectations for people living with this condition through early intervention.” Within a year, Adrienne had met Nancy and made a pledge the The Skate Foundation would focus all efforts to bring GiGi’s Playhouse to Atlanta. In 2011, the SKate Foundation, working alongside the founding GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta Board of Directors, raised the funds to open GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta, the 9th national Playhouse and 1st in the Southeast.

The Atlanta Midtown location opened its doors and began serving families in metro Atlanta with valued GiGi’s FREE programming and therapies, as well as establishing a sense of belonging for the Down syndrome community. To further support the greater Atlanta community, they opened a 2nd location in Roswell, GA. While the Midtown location had to close its doors, Roswell remains and now serves more families than ever!

GiGi’s Playhouses are 100% donor funded and 99% volunteer run. This is all to ensure that no family is ever denied services due to costs. These FREE services include educational support, multiple therapy opportunities, teen focused groups, job training, summer camps, nights out, and adult transition programs to name a few! We all look forward to watching GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta continue to grow, to thrive, and to promote belief in our community. The dream is to someday see a GiGi’s Playhouse in every zip code and beyond, and to watch as the world becomes a better place.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

In the tumultuous year of 2020, we faced an unprecedented challenge that forced us to close the doors of our Atlanta Midtown Playhouse. The global pandemic not only threatened the health of our community but also cast a shadow of uncertainty over the very existence of our organization. Without the ability to host in-person fundraisers, we were struggling to maintain two Playhouses.

With heavy hearts, we made the difficult decision to shut down our midtown location, prioritizing the safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers, and the families we served. All that remained was our 1250 square foot satellite Playhouse in Roswell. Little did we know that this closure would be the catalyst for a remarkable journey of resilience and renewal. United by a common purpose and fueled by the unwavering support of our community, we embarked on a mission to rebuild what was lost.

Virtual programs and online initiatives became our lifeline, allowing us to stay connected with the families we served. The outpouring of support from dedicated donors and volunteers played a pivotal role in stabilizing our finances and breathing life back into our mission. In 2023, with the support of our Board of Directors, donors, families, sponsors and partners, we were excited to announce the expansion of our small Roswell location! With more than 4,000 square feet, we will be able to offer multiple programs simultaneously as well as increase the number of programs offered.

Fast forward to January 2024, and a new chapter unfolds in our organization’s history. We will proudly unveil our new space, once satellite, now our flagship location in Roswell. This space, born from the collective efforts to overcome adversity, stands as a symbol of our resilience and commitment to making a positive impact in the Down syndrome community.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for us has undoubtedly been the strong partnerships we’ve cultivated, particularly with organizations such as the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta and Jack’s Baskets. These meaningful collaborations have proven to be invaluable, as they not only share our mission but also actively refer families to our services. The Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta and Jack’s Baskets have played a pivotal role in expanding our reach and connecting us with individuals who can benefit from the support we provide. These partnerships not only bring new families into our fold but also foster a sense of community and shared purpose, amplifying the impact of our organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gigisplayhouse.org/atlanta/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigisatlanta/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiGisPlayhouseAtlantaT21AcheivementCenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gigi-s-playhouse-atlanta