Meet Our EPIC Leader Tracey!

“My name is Tracey Ardizzone-Droesch.  I started volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse in 2018, after my daughter, Catherine, went to a Teen-Tastic program with her key club at her high school.  She loved it so much and, since we both enjoy volunteering so much, we thought it would be a great thing that we could do together.  After coming once together, we were hooked.  Volunteering at GiGi’s brought me back to a time when I was a young child and my church put on a summer camp for kids in the Sparrow program, many of whom had Down syndrome.  I loved and enjoyed playing with all the children then and I continue to love all the time I spend at GiGi’s.

I have worked at Stagg High School for the past 9 years as an Academic Mentor.  I decided in 2020 that I should expand my education to not only hold a Masters in School Counseling, but to also obtain a Masters in Social Work.  My internship here at GiGi’s Playhouse is the last step I need to complete my Master’s degree in August.  I am blessed to get to do my internship at my “happy place,” GiGi’s.  My task is to create a program of enrichment for the adults at GiGi’s.  I am very excited to spend my summer here and work with all these amazing participants.”

Recent Posts

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Participant Best of All

We love celebrating our participants at GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park! This month, we introduce you to Holly Dertz! Tell us about yourself! Holly Dertz is...
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Spotlight: Diane Husar, Author

Diane Callaghan Husar, the founder of GiGi’s Playhouse Tinley Park, who continues to volunteer AND participate as a parent at our Playhouse, is now a...
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Volunteer Spotlight: Maureen Schmitt

Meet Maureen Schmitt, our amazing leader of the Amina Grace Speech and Language Program! Maureen is the clinical supervisor for two graduate students providing speech...

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