2020 – Oh What a Year it Was!

By Anne Marie Brown, Executive Director

We never could have imagined what 2020 had in store for us as we sat celebrating 2019 and looking forward with excitement to the year ahead.  In a year of challenges and uncertainty, the programs we support pivoted and charged forward, serving individuals in new ways.

GiGi’s Playhouse Amina Grace 1:1 Speech and Language Program

The Amina Grace Speech and Language Program at GiGi’s Playhouse saw a big jump this year as it transitioned between in person and virtual programming, delivering to date 17,647 hours of programming to 1,208 individuals at 17 Playhouse locations in 11 states and Mexico. For some families, this program provided the only therapy they received during the pandemic.

Six new Playhouses, Raleigh, San Diego, Milwaukee, Fort Wayne, Annapolis and Nashville added the Amina Grace Speech and Language program during 2020, with 5 doing so in partnership with local Universities.  New partnerships with universities around the country have expanded the reach and awareness of the program.  These future SLP practitioners will become well versed in the speech needs of the Down syndrome community. These partnerships will help support the scalability of the program in the future, bringing it to more GiGi’s families nationwide.

The need for speech therapy is great and we stand ready to support GiGi’s Playhouse locations nationwide as they continue to add the Amina Grace Speech and Language program to their program lineups.

Misericordia Amina Grace Gardens Program

The day-to-day life of residents at Misericordia was greatly impacted this year as changes to structured daily schedules and programming had to be made to ensure the safety of residents. Physical visits from family and friends were discontinued and some programming was cancelled.  However, the Amina Grace Gardens program grew as Misericordia adapted and created developmental training programs in the gardens around campus.  Almost all residents can participate in some form of horticultural activity.

Earlier in the year, 300 plants that were started in the hydroponics, were transported outside and planted around the campus.  In times when mobility around the campus was limited, this mood boosting outside activity facilitated collaboration amongst housemates right at their residence as they tended to the gardens and grew their own vegetables. The benefits of gardening are many, and include building strength, improving memory and fostering human connections.  

Highlights of their accomplishments this year include:

• Misericordia resident Laura was hired as the first part time dedicated hydroponic worker for the Amina Grace Gardens program right before the stay-at-home order.  Laura had been working independently on some tasks and is in training and completing others with the assistance of staff at Misericordia.
• The installation of 12 enabling garden beds which allow for residents with greater physical limitations, like wheelchairs, to be able to contribute and benefit from gardening as these beds are raised and allow for residents to access more easily.
• The hiring of Luis, the second part time dedicated hydroponic worker for the Amina Grace Gardens program.  The pandemic has limited what he is able to do, but we look forward to 2021 where he will shine as he has a true passion for gardening.

National Association of Down Syndrome (NADS) Congratulations Basket Program

The National Association of Down Syndrome (NADS) Congratulations Basket program has served 76 families this year.

The NADS Congratulations Basket program continued to reach new families that have been blessed with a new child with Down syndrome this year.  We are seeing an upswing of pre-natal referrals which provides the opportunity for additional information and emotional support earlier in the pregnancy journey. More than ever in these isolating times, the support of others in the Down syndrome community is critical and NADS has stepped up to fill this crucial need!

As hospital protocols changed this year, the NADS team had the opportunity to build relationships with additional personnel at the hospital, bringing greater awareness to the existence of the program.  Basket deliveries directly to the hospital weren’t allowed this year so the team adjusted processes to ensure this important information made its way to the families in a safe manner either via email or curbside drop-offs.

Gerry’s Café

Gerry’s Cafe is in the home stretch to finalizing their fundraising so that they can search for the optimal space to open once it’s safe. They are actively working with their volunteer committees, one of which includes our Executive Director Anne Marie, to solidify structure needed to ensure Gerry’s Cafe is a dynamic and rewarding place in which to learn and work. Future employees are keeping busy by continuing to develop their skills as they:

• Virtually spread awareness by sharing their individual stories of the job they dream of having once Gerry’s Cafe opens.
• Serving as ambassadors for the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive and other small in person drop by or drive by activities.
• Utilizing their artistic talents at home through the creation of bracelets, ornaments and artwork that have been spotlighted in various on-line fundriasing events.

There were many silver linings in 2020 and we look forward to what 2021 will bring!