Volunteer of the Month – 10 YEARS OF AMANDA!

There are some people who walk into a room and immediately change the way it feels. For so many families at GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland, that person is Amanda Simon.

This month, as we celebrate ten incredible years of Amanda leading our LMNOP program, we find ourselves reflecting not just one single time, but on the countless moments in which Amanda creates a sense of belonging for all those she meets. The way she greets each new family with warmth that feels like home. The way she instinctively reaches for every baby, holding them with a tenderness that says, “you belong here.” The way she sits beside parents in those early, uncertain days, listening first – always listening, and then offering comfort, not just as a professional, but as a mother who has walked a similar path with her son, James.

Amanda brings more than experience to our community, she brings her whole heart. Whether she’s leading LMNOP or supporting families through the Amina Grace Speech & Language Program, she creates a space where connection comes naturally, learning feels joyful, and growth is met with patience and encouragement. In her presence, nothing is rushed, nothing is forced. Each moment is celebrated, questions are welcomed, and families are reminded, again and again, that they are not alone and that everything will be okay.

.

If we had to name the gift Amanda gives to GiGi’s, it would be her compassion. It’s felt in every conversation, every song, every quiet moment of reassurance. It’s what turns a program into a community, and a visit into something families carry with them long after they leave.

Ten years of Amanda is something truly special. To honor this milestone, we turned to the families and volunteers whose lives she has touched – inviting them to share small, meaningful reflections of the impact she has made. What they shared is a beautiful reminder of what we already know: Amanda is not just part of GiGi’s Playhouse. She is part of the heart of it.

“LMNOP was the first program I was consistently attending at GiGi’s Playhouse and I am still doing it today, mainly because of Mrs. Simon. She helped me find the perfect place for me at LMNOP and is very supportive. Mrs. Simon radiates positivity and I love that I have the opportunity to volunteer with her.” – Arthur Wallace, LMNOP Program Assist

“We love Amanda! Amanda has been a constant and impactful presence in the GiGi’s community, from her leadership of LMNOP to creating meaningful programming that grows with our children. She is a passionate advocate who embodies inclusion and belonging in both her words and actions. GiGi’s Cleveland is incredibly fortunate to have her as a volunteer, and the broader GiGi’s community is even more fortunate to have her as a dedicated friend and champion.” – Lisa Thuer-Winkelfoos, Board Member & Family

“Amanda is so passionate about what she does. She is also passionate in loving our children and working hard to provide the best therapy for them.” – Megan Lynch, Family

“Amanda is truly an incredible person – an amazing mom, friend, and Program Leader for LMNOP. It’s been such an honor to volunteer alongside her for over 5 years. She brings so much knowledge and heart into everything she does, whether it’s her expertise in ASL, her speech therapy background, or her unwavering passion for advocacy. Amanda has a way of making a real impact, and her love for GiGi’s Playhouse Cleveland shines through in everything she touches. Thank you for always going above and beyond – you make such a difference.” – Marcus & Katie Riley, past LMNOP Program Assists

“Amanda got to know Patrick rather quickly and found a strategy that worked for him during his 1:1 speech sessions. We appreciate her warm demeanor with him, and her out-of-the-box thinking that AAC devices aren’t always the answer for everyone.” – Mary Fazekas, Family

“It’s truly hard to imagine GiGi’s Playhouse without Amanda. She has been a constant presence since the very beginning of our achievement center, and it has been a joy to watch her in action over the years. Amanda has a unique ability to teach, lead, and empower – not only our participants, but also their families and her team of assists. The very first participants in her LMNOP program are now preteens, a testament to her lasting impact! She leads with heart and passion, and her presence is a true gift to our community. We love you, Amanda!” – Lizz Maxwell, Executive Director

.

“Amanda is an incredible therapist, leader, friend and mentor. She genuinely cares about all the kids and families at GiGi’s. Her knowledge and expertise with speech, sign language and navigating life with Down syndrome has been truly amazing. We are so grateful for Amanda (& love James!).” – Dianne Fisher, Family

“We’ve had the pleasure of attending LMNOP, and Beau has also worked one-on-one with Amanda for speech therapy. Amanda’s great! Since beginning sessions with her, we’ve seen a huge progress in Beau’s speech. He’s truly enjoyed his time with her!” – Tiana Brandt, Family

“Witnessing the love and joy Amanda exudes is like receiving the warmest of hugs! So many families feel seen and heard because of who she is. She comes alongside each family, whether at LMNOP, Speech Therapy, or simply walking into the Playhouse, and sees each individual for who they truly are. She is also a force to be reckoned with when it comes to advocating for her son James, which then trickles into all the families that come through GiGi’s – whether she realizes it or not! She inspires, she motivates, and she loves hard! How lucky are we to have a Ms. Amanda!” – Mary Makulinski, Operations Manager

“Amanda has been a meaningful part of our journey at GiGi’s for nearly six years, starting with LMNOP where her kindness and genuine excitement made Finn feel truly seen and welcomed. Now, as his 1:1 speech therapist, her patience and creativity continue to shine as she finds new ways to engage him and support his use of his AAC device. Her consistency, compassion, and dedication have made a lasting impact on Finn and our entire family. We are incredibly grateful for the role she plays in his growth and in the GiGi’s community.” – Jenn Ladny, Family

Amanda, thank you for the love, compassion, kindness, and authenticity you pour into every individual you meet at GiGi’s. You instill the belief that nothing is impossible in our families, which equips everyone with hope, advocacy, and courage. The difference you make begins like a gentle ripple – felt in a single conversation, a reassuring smile, a moment of being truly seen, and it stretches outward in ways we may never fully measure. It reaches into homes, into hearts, into futures being shaped with more confidence and possibility because of you. We are all so lucky to be part of the wave you’ve created, carried forward by the steady, beautiful impact of who you are.