Two Barrington High School students are the inaugural recipients of the the first national GenerationG Award given by GiGi’s Playhouse, Inc. Seniors Bella Gianni and Francesca Giancola received the award during a ceremony at Barrington High School for their founding of the school’s #GenerationG Club in 2017. Through social gatherings, fundraisers and GiGi’s Playhouse volunteer opportunities the club works to spread the message that everyone should feel accepted and like they belong.
Gianni and Giancola’s efforts to spread kindness and acceptance inspired other high school students across the country to start their own #GenerationG Clubs. As a result, GiGi’s Playhouse has now created a curriculum for clubs nationwide including meeting formats, templates and tools necessary to best spread acceptance of entire student populations. These tools will help additional schools start #GenerationG Clubs. The BHS #GenerationG Club also prompted new acceptance initiatives across the country including Student Acceptance Essay programs, #GenerationG School of the Year Awards, #GenerationG Training, #GenerationG Assemblies and more.
GiGi’s Playhouse in Hoffman Estates displays the Barrington High School #GenerationG Banner of Acceptance signed by students at Barrington High School who took the #GenerationG Pledge of Acceptance. Families served by GiGi’s Playhouse say it means so much to see the signatures of BHS students pledging to be kind, generous and accepting.
About GiGi’s Playhouse
GiGi’s Playhouse is the only nationwide network of Down syndrome achievement centers now operating in 45 locations throughout the United States and Mexico. 99% volunteer-run, the organization offers over 30 different therapeutic, educational and career development programs that support individuals with Down syndrome. All programs are 100% free to families. Learn more at GiGisPlayhouse.org.
