Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

People with Down syndrome are challenged in many ways, including low-muscle tone and speech and movement issues. In some parts of the world, such as Mexico, where the support structure for these individuals is not as advanced as in the United States, people with Down syndrome don’t often get the care and programs they need to live a fulfilled life. Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers help individuals with Down syndrome and changes lives through consistent delivery of free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community, through a replicable playhouse model. In May of 2019, Omron Foundation donated a grant of $25,000 to help fund the only Gigi’s Playhouse in Mexico, serving a large population in the Queretero area. Omron Foundation hopes this grant will go far to help those with Down syndrome be as able and successful as possible.

Little City Center for Employment and Business Opportunities

It is widely believed that realistic pre-training environments are needed to better prepare prospective employees who have autism or other intellectual and developmental disabilities for the workplace, and to help them integrate into the culture of the organization. In response, Little City staff designed eight different work stations mimicking actual work environments (e.g., a restaurant, hotel room, computer lab.) In April 2013, with the first of multiple generous grants from the Omron Foundation, the first of four work stations were constructed. Each year thereafter, another work station was constructed and furnished with assistance from the Omron Foundation.

Little City Foundation Medical and Dental Clinic

In May 2010, Little City Foundation in Palatine, Illinois, opened a new medical and dental clinic funded by Omron Foundation in partnership with other organizations, to help improve care to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This greatly reduced the need for patients to travel long distances, often sedated, to off-site doctors and dentists for treatment. The clinic significantly reduces the burden on residents, staff, and others by providing on-site care. In the first 18 months of its operation, the clinic saved $34,268.40 in travel and staff costs and over $100,000 in emergency room visits for Illinois taxpayers, while at the same time greatly improving quality-of-care indicators.

Lambs Farm

In the fall of 2006, Lambs Farm received a grant from the Omron Foundation to purchase an 80-quart mixer with stand and extra bowl, an agitated kettle and filler for jam production, and an inkjet coder for "use by" coding. This equipment improved the capacity and efficiency of our Country Store and Bakery, two of several businesses on the Lambs Farm campus that provide vocational training and employment to men and women with developmental disabilities. The new equipment was safer and more accessible for our Participants to use, so they were able to work more directly with the machines. It also enabled us to explore new products and additional sales opportunities, which, in turn, increased the opportunities for Participants to assist in production and expand their vocational skills.

Supported Organizations