A Passion for Play and Learning: Laara Doorley’s Volunteer Journey at GiGi’s Playhouse

At GiGi’s Playhouse, our volunteers bring passion, dedication, and a deep love for the community they serve. One such incredible volunteer is Laara Doorley, who has been making a difference since January 2023. Her journey to GiGi’s is one of patience and fate, spanning over a decade.

Laara first learned about GiGi’s Playhouse in 2012 through an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the Midtown location. At the time, she had just moved from Ohio, where she was an early elementary special education teacher. She wanted to get involved, but the distance made it difficult. Fast forward ten years, and Laara stumbled upon GiGi’s Roswell location—and the rest, as she says, is history!

Finding Joy in the Little Moments

For Laara, the best part of volunteering is simple yet profound: working with the kids. Their excitement and smiles make every moment worthwhile, fueling her passion and commitment to GiGi’s mission.

A Role That Evolves with Passion

Starting as a tutor, Laara has since transitioned into leading the Leaps and Bounds program. She particularly enjoys working alongside both the kiddos and their caregivers, creating activities that can be continued at home to encourage growth and development. Her role allows her to blend her expertise as a special education teacher with her love for interactive learning and community building.

A Special Moment with Jojo

One of Laara’s most memorable experiences at GiGi’s involved a young participant named Jojo. She crafted an engaging activity by taking pictures of Jojo doing various activities around the Playhouse. Together, they turned those photos into a personalized book, with Jojo as the main character! Seeing Jojo’s excitement as he wrote and read a book starring himself was a truly rewarding experience.

Personal Growth and Meaningful Connections

Volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse has been deeply fulfilling for Laara. It allows her to apply her education and training while creating lasting impacts on the children she works with. One of her favorite aspects is having her neighbor, Maggie, who also has Down syndrome, join her as an assistant teacher for Leaps and Bounds. Together, they encourage communication, as well as gross and fine motor skills, all while fostering a joyful and engaging learning environment.

Laara’s story is a testament to the power of patience, passion, and community. Her dedication to GiGi’s Playhouse Atlanta continues to inspire those around her, proving that when we create meaningful connections, everyone grows—especially the little ones who light up the Playhouse with their enthusiasm and joy.

Would you like to join our incredible team of Volunteers? Click here to apply today!