Gallery at West Des Moines Mall to Tell Story of Down Syndrome in the Metro

Mercy Children’s Center,  GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines and mall are teaming to bring the “i have a voice” gallery to the West Des Moines mall during the month of October.

The gallery, which features photos and stories of 42 local children and adults with Down syndrome, is an effort to provide awareness in the general community, and empower more than 1 million new advocates.

GiGi’s Playhouse began in Hoffman Estates, IL and has a network of 12 locations in the United States and Mexico. GiGi’s Playhouse – Des Moines was established in 2010 and works with an estimated 300 families in the Des Moines metro area.

GiGi’s provides educational and social support for children and young adults with Down syndrome and their families. Mercy Children’s Center, which is operated by Mercy Medical Center, cares for and supports many Down syndrome children in the Des Moines metro, and several of Mercy’s health-care providers serve on a volunteer basis at the Des Moines location.