From Advocacy to Impact: The Power of the Generation G Youth Board

At GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati, we believe that creating a culture of acceptance begins with empowering the next generation of leaders. The Generation G Youth Board is a dedicated group of high school students who strive to spread the message of Generation G: to be accepting, be generous, and be kind. Through outreach, education, and hands-on service, these students have made a lasting impact—both within our Playhouse and out in the community. As we celebrate the achievements of our very first Youth Board, we’d love to share the following words from their facilitator, Jonny Brennan…

My name is Jonny Brennan, and I am the Youth Board Coordinator for GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati. I’m incredibly grateful to GiGi’s for giving me the opportunity and platform to highlight this amazing group of young leaders!

The Generation G Youth Board at GiGi’s Playhouse is a diverse team of high school students passionate about advocating for and spreading acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome. Our board is made up of students from local school districts who have made the intentional choice to learn more about this vibrant and inspiring community.

Board members meet monthly to discuss advocacy, develop awareness initiatives, and find creative ways to represent GiGi’s Playhouse in the Loveland/Cincinnati area. Each member is expected to attend monthly board meetings and complete at least two hours of volunteer work. Common volunteer activities include assisting with program coordination, helping with organization and cleaning, participating in scheduled programs, and creating educational materials and stimuli.

In addition to monthly involvement, our board plans and hosts events for GiGi’s Playhouse participants and families to enjoy—always with an emphasis on building vital life skills like functional communication, peer socialization, and daily living skills. Some crowd favorites from last year included our summer pool party at Lori’s H2O Skills and our Halloween Trunk-or-Treat costume parade!

One of our Youth Board’s most important goals is to build meaningful partnerships with our local community and schools. We strive to create opportunities for students to learn not only about GiGi’s Playhouse, but also about Down syndrome as a diagnosis—challenging misconceptions and fostering a culture of understanding and inclusion.

Our Youth Board members step up as advocates, using their voices to spark a new, fun, and refreshing dialogue among their peers. They lead by example, and in doing so, inspire others to join our mission of acceptance, generosity, and growth. I’m so thankful to our 2024-2025 Youth Board for paving the way for many Cincinnati Youth Boards to come, and can’t wait to see where we go from here!

As you can see, being part of the Youth Board is more than just volunteering—it’s a chance for high schoolers to develop leadership skills, gain community service experience, and become powerful advocates for individuals with Down syndrome. Whether helping at programs, organizing inclusive events, or promoting awareness in their schools, members play a vital role in advancing GiGi’s mission. As our first ever Generation G Youth Board’s term comes to a close, we’re excited to announce that applications for our 2025–2026 Youth Board are officially open! If you’re ready to make a difference and be part of something bigger, we encourage you to apply! Fill out the application linked in our below by July 31st, and join us for our Youth Board Informational Meeting on Friday, August 1st from 5:00–5:45 PM at the Playhouse. We can’t wait to meet the next generation of change-makers!