Meet Frankie Cohen of GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Cohen.

Hi Frankie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been drawn to volunteering and nonprofit work. I truly believe that one of the best things you can do in life is find your gift — and give it away. No matter what role I’ve been in professionally, I’ve always found myself gravitating toward community impact and service.

That passion started early. In high school, I launched a community service project that eventually grew into its own nonprofit organization — an experience that shaped both my heart and my career path. As I moved into the professional world, I continued to seek out opportunities to serve. If there was a chance to get involved in the community, I was there — whether through volunteer time off, service projects, or community outreach initiatives.

My career began in banking, but I was quickly drawn to the mission-driven side of financial institutions. I transitioned into community relations, where I could focus on building partnerships, supporting local organizations, and making a tangible difference — one of the reasons I’ve always believed in credit unions over traditional banks.

A turning point came when two founding moms of GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley visited my Rotary Club to share their vision. I was deeply inspired by what they were building — not only for their own children, but for families across our community. I signed up to volunteer immediately and began the training process. Around that same time, the role I’m in now opened up — and it felt like everything aligned.

What drew me in was the heart of the organization: celebrating individuals with Down syndrome, supporting families, and offering free, purposeful programs that truly change lives. At the core of everything I do is a people-first mindset — making sure families feel supported, volunteers feel valued, and participants feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

This role feels like a natural extension of who I’ve always been. I believe in creating spaces where people belong, where their voices matter, and where community shows up for one another — and GiGi’s Playhouse allows me to live that purpose every single day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road — and I don’t believe meaningful work ever is. Stepping into senior leadership at a young age, and as a woman, has required me to be intentional about how I show up, how I lead, and how I let my work speak for itself.

In nonprofit leadership, credibility isn’t built through titles — it’s built through impact. Families served. Programs launched. Volunteers empowered. Participants thriving. I’ve learned to let results, consistency, and follow-through establish trust and authority over time.

There are unique challenges in this work — from navigating limited resources to meeting growing community needs, to carrying the emotional responsibility of families who trust us with their children, their hopes, and their futures. That weight is real. I feel it deeply. But it also fuels me.

I’m drawn to GiGi’s Playhouse because the work is tangible and human. I’m not chasing optics or metrics alone — I’m building something families can feel when they walk through our doors. When I see a child gain confidence, a teen find belonging, or a parent feel less alone, it reminds me why this mission matters so much.

Challenges don’t discourage me — they sharpen me. They’ve taught me resilience, emotional discipline, and the importance of leading with both strength and heart. I stay grounded in the mission, focused on impact, and committed to creating a space where individuals with Down syndrome are celebrated for their abilities, their voices, and their limitless potential.

Every obstacle has reinforced my belief that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be — building a community rooted in belonging, empowerment, and love.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley is a nonprofit Down syndrome achievement center dedicated to changing the way the world views Down syndrome and sending a global message of acceptance for all. We provide free, purposeful, and life-changing educational, therapeutic, and career-development programs for individuals of all ages, from infancy through adulthood.

What sets us apart is that every program we offer is 100% free to families — removing financial barriers and ensuring that support, resources, and opportunity are accessible to everyone who needs them. We specialize in programs that build confidence, independence, communication skills, physical wellness, literacy, math, career readiness, and social belonging — all rooted in research-based best practices and delivered in an environment built on acceptance, celebration, and high expectations.

We are known for being more than a program provider — we are a community, a second family, and a place where people truly belong. Families don’t just come to GiGi’s for services; they come for connection, advocacy, friendship, and support through every stage of life.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built — one that celebrates ability over disability, values joy and excellence equally, and holds high standards while leading with heart. Whether it’s launching new programs like GiGiFIT Infant, Literacy Tutoring, Math Tutoring, and GiGi’s Kitchen, or welcoming new families into a space where they immediately feel seen and supported, our impact is tangible and deeply personal.

What I want readers to know most is this: GiGi’s Playhouse isn’t about limitations — it’s about potential. Every individual with Down syndrome who walks through our doors is capable of more than society often expects, and we exist to champion that truth. Whether you’re a family, a volunteer, a donor, or a community partner, there is a meaningful place for you in our mission.

We don’t just change lives — we change mindsets, build confidence, strengthen families, and create a more inclusive community for everyone.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many meaningful ways to work with, collaborate with, and support GiGi’s Playhouse Simi Valley — and every form of involvement helps advance a mission that goes far beyond programming.

Families can enroll in our free educational, therapeutic, and career-focused programs for individuals with Down syndrome from infancy through adulthood. Volunteers are the heartbeat of our Playhouse, supporting tutoring, fitness, career readiness, events, mentorship, and daily operations. Businesses and community partners can collaborate through corporate volunteer days, sponsorships, event partnerships, employee engagement opportunities, and in-kind support. Donors and sponsors can fuel our mission through one-time gifts, monthly giving, event sponsorships, and our annual Friend of GiGi’s partnership program, which helps sustain our free programs year-round.

But supporting GiGi’s Playhouse is also about standing for something bigger.

It’s about combating harmful misconceptions about Down syndrome, stopping hateful or dismissive speech, and boldly sharing the most important truth of all: individuals with Down syndrome are valuable. Today, a significant percentage of parents who receive a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis choose to terminate their pregnancy. That reality underscores why our work matters — individuals with Down syndrome not only deserve to be here, they deserve to have a voice, to be heard, and to be celebrated.

Our responsibility as a community is not only to advocate for individuals with Down syndrome, but to give them a seat at the table, a stage, and a microphone to share their own voices. My role — and my passion — is to amplify those voices, elevate their stories, and help create a world where they are seen for their abilities, their potential, and their worth.

Whether someone wants to volunteer, partner, give, advocate, or simply learn more, there is a meaningful place for them in this mission. Together, we’re not just supporting individuals with Down syndrome — we’re changing mindsets, shifting culture, and building a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gigisplayhouse.org/simivalley
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gigisplayhousesimivalley
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gigisplayhousesimivalley