Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Volunteer. GiGi’s Playhouse is a volunteer run organization and we rely on the skill and dedication of volunteers of various levels of expertise to keep our programs vibrant, educational, fun and free. Since the first Playhouse opened in 2003, GiGi’s Playhouse programs have always been free for our families. Parents, family members, clinicians, and individuals who believe in the GiGi’s Playhouse mission act as volunteers in GiGi’s Playhouse programs, events, administrative offices, and on our Board of Members.
Volunteer Orientations take place on the second Saturday of every month from 10am-11am.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
Programs
Commitment: Once a month
Program Leader: The Program Leader plays an integral role within GiGi’s Playhouse Programs – to facilitate skill development activities and connect with families. It is preferred that the Program Leader has advanced education and/or training in developmental therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, social work, special education, speech-language therapy, music, dance, art or a related field.
Host Family: The Host Family attends the assigned program each session, to ensure that no family must attend on their own and works in conjunction with program leader.
Program Volunteers: This person will assist the program lead, and the number of volunteers depends on the size and type of program. Program volunteers just need a general knowledge of Down syndrome (which you can gain at the volunteer orientation)!
Literacy Tutors: This is an exciting opportunity to help those with Down syndrome learn to read! The time commitment per week is 1 hour plus prep time. We ask literacy tutors to commit to one session (12 weeks). You will work directly with the family of the child you are tutoring to determine when you will meet for your session each week.
Math Tutors: This is an exciting opportunity to help those with Down syndrome work on their math skills. The time commitment per week is 1 hour plus prep time. We ask math tutors to commit to one session (12 weeks). You will work directly with the family of the child you are tutoring to determine when you will meet for your session each week.
Administrative/General
Commitment: Varied-These can either be 1x week, 1x month or on an as needed basis.
Marketing/PR: contacting media for events, help write press releases, create flyers and brochures for GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit
E-mails/HTML: Someone who has some knowledge of constant contact/graphic design and HTML who can help edit our monthly e-mails
Writers for our Playhouse blog
Fundraisers: Research and meet with individuals/organizations who would like to sponsor or donate to GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit
Events
Commitment: Varied, 1x a week during event planning a few months before event takes place
Committee member: Help develop ideas for events and execute them with other committee members
Chairperson: Oversee the committee and event, some experience with event/people management preferred.
Fundraisers/Sponsorships: Help secure donations for the events by reaching out to organizations in the community, asking for sponsorship and donations
Marketing/PR: Write Press releases, follow up with media, create flyers, brochures etc.
Day of Volunteers