Thankful for GiGi’s

Hello GiGi’s friends and families! My name is Jessica, and I am proud to introduce myself as the new Site Coordinator for GiGi’s Playhouse-Des Moines. I started in September, and I already feel like I’m part of the GiGi’s family! At the Therapeutic Play Center Celebration GiGi literally welcomed me with open arms. I was truly taken aback by all the love that filled the playhouse (not to mention the people because the place was packed)!
As an Iowa native, I have lived in Ankeny for all but seven years in Red Oak, Iowa. My parents are Joe and Michelle, and I have three siblings, Joseph, Kiersten, and Sarah. A few fun facts include my love for candy bars and the stars. My favorite movie is Man with a Movie Camera, and my favorite color is yellow. I have been a vegetarian for five years, and I haven’t thrown away a fortune from a fortune cookie in over ten years.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History and Sociology. After graduation, I moved back to Iowa and began working at T.J. Maxx part-time (if you have ever been into the Ankeny T.J.’s I was the red haired one with the “interesting” outfit). I love fashion because to me it’s another medium of art, so it was fun working there. After a couple years in management, I longed for something that would quench my thirst to help others. I wanted to do something that would make a difference in somebody’s life. I decided to make the move from retail to non-profit. One day I ran into Bonnie at Target. You all know her as the Programs Coordinator at GiGi’s and Aiden’s mom, but I knew her as my favorite regular customer. Bonnie and I were talking about my history as a nanny, and my interest in transitioning into nonprofit, when Bonnie’s eyes lit up and she told me she knew of a great nonprofit called GiGi’s Playhouse, I was a little shocked because until the week before I had never heard of GiGi’s. I was randomly told by three different people within a week that I should check out GiGi’s, so I took Bonnie’s third mentioning as a sign. Currently, I couldn’t be happier blending my love for kids, planning, people, love, and creativity.
Although, it has only been a couple of months, I am so proud, impressed, inspired, and motivated to belong to GiGi’s.  So thank you all so much for making me feel welcome, and if we haven’t met yet I look forward to meeting you!

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