GiGi's Playhouse Expands to Knoxville with Free Down Syndrome Support

The Knoxville facility emerged from a grassroots effort led by local families who identified a critical gap in regional resources. Jessica Hoke, a board president who previously utilized the organization’s Raleigh location for her son, Ben, spearheaded the startup team to ensure East Tennessee families could access similar therapeutic and social support. The center operates on a model that provides all educational, health, and wellness programs at no cost to participants, regardless of insurance status or household income.

Founder Nancy Gianni and her daughter, GiGi, will attend the inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony this Saturday to mark the expansion. For the families behind the project, the site serves as more than an activity center; it functions as an advocacy hub designed to challenge societal limitations placed on people with Down syndrome. By offering structured pathways from infancy through adulthood, the organization aims to foster independence and provide a collaborative space for siblings, volunteers, and parents to build a lasting community.