How Brad Jessen, Board President, found GiGi’s Playhouse

I came to find GiGi’s Playhouse through my daughter Madison (15 years old at that time), who was looking to expand on her volunteerism with those in our community who have special needs. She had and continues to spend every year as a dedicated participant in a high school program called Baker Buddies, which provides students the opportunity to be mentors and aids to the special needs students at Ida S. Baker High School. While this program is incredibly rewarding, she wanted to expand on volunteering in the special needs community. She found GiGi’s Fort Myers online and asked her mother and me to bring her to GiGi’s Playhouse to get involved. Upon our first visit we were so impressed with the people we encountered that Kelli and I wanted to get involved as well.

My wife, Kelli, immediately got involved with planning and executing the 2017 Gala, Madison got involved with volunteering during our existing programs, and I normally escorted her. At some point shortly after the 2017 Gala, Samantha Nunez approached me about her desire to expand on the board and what already existed and asked me if I would be interested in becoming a board member. Of course, I said yes and have enjoyed all we have accomplished together in 2018. As we all are aware, the Nunez family is expanding and as Samantha’s due date grew nearer she needed to shed some responsibilities in preparation of being a mother of three. She brought the idea before the board members and I was honored to be asked to lead the board and drive us toward our future goals and dreams of Playhouse expansion in the areas of programs and service to our families.

From my first interaction at GiGi’s to today I am deeply moved by the genuine and unconditional love I have received from the families and participants of our programs when they accomplish what we take for granted daily. Celebrating the progress each person makes as a direct result of the participation in programs we provide is a glaring reminder of how important our work is and how we are changing lives one family at a time. I am a better person because of my involvement with GiGi’s Playhouse on a local and national level, and I am proud to serve as President of the Board of Managers. 2019 and beyond will be an exciting time at GiGi’s Fort Myers. I believe with our staff and board of managers working in unison to change lives we simply cannot fail.

Brad Jessen

GiGi’s Playhouse Fort Myers

Board President