Welcome, Melissa!

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa, and I’m so excited to be joining GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago for the next 14 weeks as part of my doctoral capstone project at UIC, where I’m currently an occupational therapy doctoral student.

During my time here, I’ll be leading the Art Explosion and Playhouse Pals programs as part of my doctoral capstone project, which focuses on supporting siblings of loved ones with Down syndrome. Through this project, I’m working to develop fun, meaningful events and helpful resources that strengthen sibling relationships and foster a sense of connection and inclusion within families. I’m excited to learn from the amazing crew here and all the families who make GiGi’s such a vibrant community!

When I’m not studying or planning programs, here are a few fun facts about me:

1. I’m on a mission to make sibling support feel like family game night—welcoming, meaningful, and fun.
2. I love all things tea—you’ll often find me sipping on an iced drink on a hot summer day.
3. I’m a huge K-pop fan and was even part of a K-pop dance group in college—feel free to come chat with me about your favorite groups or songs!

I’m so excited to meet all of you and look forward to being a part of this amazing community!