BUENA PARK, Calif. — Gigi Arico, a 15-year-old diagnosed with Down syndrome, is a 10th-grade student at the Speech and Language Development Center, a nonprofit school and therapy center dedicated to serving children and adults with special needs.

For the past three years, Arico’s teacher, Marita Ortiz, has fostered an unbreakable bond with her, guiding Arico toward independence, enhancing her social skills, and nurturing her natural leadership abilities. 

Adrienne Kessler, the CEO of the center, says the school assists over 600 K-12 students and collaborates with 50 public schools across Orange and LA County.

She emphasizes the challenge of making accessible and affordable STEM programs, like speech therapy and occupational therapy, available to all as a top priority. 

Programs and activities and teacher guidance empower Arico to thrive, grow, and pursue her dreams.

For her, the aspiration is to give back in the same impactful way Marita has done for her in her future job.