Volunteer Spotlight- Abi, Marketing Intern

Volunteer Spotlight- Abi, Marketing and Social Media Intern

Hello GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley! My name is Abi Bradshaw and I am so excited to join the team as the marketing and social media intern this summer! I am a sophomore at Westmont College, an itty-bitty school in the beautiful and sunny Santa Barbara, California (yes, it’s a dream!). I grew up here in Naperville, though, and am thankful to be back for the summer. Although I grew up in Illinois, I’m pretty sure my soul belongs in California. The water, the sunshine, and the popularity of being gluten-free (which I am) speak to me. In my free-time, like a normal Cali-girl, I love to do yoga! I also am a musician, and sing full-time at my college, my favorite music being every Disney sing-along! 

I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with the hopes of being a part of shifting the messaging surrounding disabilities. I am passionate about not only inclusion, but belonging!

I was first introduced to GiGi’s because I had several friends and neighbors with Down syndrome growing up who were (and many still are) participants. When I found out I would be coming home for the summer, I knew I wanted to get involved in an organization that has loved my friends rocking that extra 21st chromosome so well. As the marketing intern, I hope to learn more about how effective marketing increases exposure and positivity surrounding Down syndrome in the local community. As I recently sat in a meeting of a different non-profit organization (virtual of course…), I represented, along with two others, a group that supports people with different abilities, and as the meeting progressed, I began to tangibly experience what has been giving me heart-ache for so long: our community is far too often overlooked. The three of us, even just in representing those with differences, were overlooked. So this is my why in interning with GiGi’s Playhouse: learning how to make our presence known and valued. The community of people with Down syndrome and those supporting them needs a place at the table, so as one of my favorite authors and advocates, Heather Avis, says, ‘Let’s teach the world to “scoot over and make some room!”’ GiGi’s is a community that is doing this every day, and I am beyond thrilled to be learning how to better do this from everyone involved!