Members of Niagara University’s Future Teachers Association (NUFTA) were able to visit and tour GiGi’s Playhouse, a non-profit dedicated to empowering individuals with Down syndrome. The NUFTA students were given the opportunity to see the facilities of GiGi’s Playhouse, and learn more about their overall mission, at their Kenmore location. Their tour took place on Feb. 23, 2026, and it allowed NUFTA students to see behind the scenes of a community organization that goes beyond the classroom.
GiGi’s Playhouse is an organization driven mostly by volunteers. Their locations across the United States and Mexico make up the lone network of Down syndrome achievement centers. The organization offers free educational and therapeutic services, as well as, career development programs. They are committed to partnering with individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. GiGi’s Buffalo facility features a teaching kitchen, their “Get Fit Gym,” and tutoring labs.
Mercedes Wehr, the student president of NUFTA, was impressed and inspired by the facility. Overall she said her favorite area was the “Get Fit Gym.” She not only admired the overall benefits it has for the members of the playhouse, but she also loved the design choices of it. The gym features a red wall with encouraging words to help motivate anyone exercising.
Students heard from Emily Mondschein, executive director of GiGi’s Playhouse. A detail learned from her is that the ages of individuals they serve range from one month old to 50 years old. Emily was assisted by Faith, an individual with Down syndrome who works front desk for the playhouse, and she gave students a tour of the facility.
Emily and Faith left a large impression on Wehr. Wehr said, “My favorite part of the experience was meeting Emily Mondschein, and hearing her story along with how much this place means to her. I also loved meeting Faith, who has Down syndrome and works the front desk. Hearing from her and how much she loves her job brought me so much joy.”
Dr. Norline Wild, assistant professor of early childhood education and advisor to NUFTA, said, “For our future teachers, it was a powerful opportunity to witness inclusive, strengths-based programming in action and to better understand how schools and community organizations can work together to support individuals with diverse learning needs.”
In reference to the overall value of the experience, Wehr said, “A majority of my classmates, and I are special education all grades majors, and will be pursuing a career in special education. Therefore, it is important to discover and learn about what these organizations are doing to support individuals with Down syndrome, and what kind of services they provide as we will be in those shoes one day as future educators, making that difference towards these individuals.”
NUFTA, established in 2004, is a club committed to pursuing these opportunities for future teachers. More information about the club can be found on their Instagram page. For more information about Niagara University’s College of Education, click here.
