Meet Jessie, Marissa, Jenny, and Leah!

Hi Playhouse families! My name is Jessie and I am a 3rd year student in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at Rush University! I will be spending the next 14-weeks at the Playhouse and cannot wait to meet you all. During my time at the Playhouse, I will be studying how literacy tutoring impacts self-expression (being able to tell someone your feelings and thoughts) for young adults with Down syndrome. I hope to see many of you for one-on-one literacy tutoring at the Playhouse to learn about professional emailing, Google Docs and Slides, blogging, digital portfolios, and social media!

Hello everyone! My name is Marissa Iacullo and I am a third-year Occupational Therapy student at Rush University. Within the next 14-weeks at GiGi’s I will be focusing on promoting social participation and self-determination (the ability to make decisions & control one’s own life) among folks with down syndrome. I will be leading the EPIC: Journaling club on Monday and placing on emphasis on positive mental health & social-emotional health. I will also be taking on interns at GiGi’s, with the goal of interns reaching full independence of working at the Playhouse by the end of their internship. You will see me around the Playhouse involved in a variety of young adult group programming, so please don’t be shy & say hello! I am so excited to meet you all and to have a fun-filled semester!

Hi GiGi’s families! I am Jenny Bock and I am a 3rd year occupational therapy doctorate student! I have grown up in the Chicagoland area and I love reading, going to the beach in the summer, and listening to music! I will be at the playhouse for the next 14 weeks working with the adult participants at the playhouse. I am so excited to meet and get to know everyone over the next few weeks!

Hi, GiGi’s Families! I am so excited to be joining the GiGi’s team to complete my Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Experience for the next 14 weeks! At GiGi’s, I will be engaging in the 0-5 programming, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all! I will also be completing research exploring “The Occupational Participation with Children 0-12 with Down syndrome”. Feel free to reach out to me if you are interested in learning more or participating in the study. Lastly, count me in for many dance parties to come!