Volunteer Spotlight: Amber

Volunteer Spotlight: Amber

Amber has been volunteering with us for about one year now as a literacy tutor, but in the midst of the pandemic, she took on a new role! She has been leading Kids Club virtually, and we couldn’t be happier to have her! Amber is a senior at Waubonsie Valley High School, hoping to move to the East Coast for college. She plans to study Psychology and complete a pre-law track with the goal of working in child advocacy. Amber, in telling me about why she wanted to do advocacy work, said that kids don’t always have a voice. She wants to stick up for them!  

In working with kids with different abilities at GiGi’s and in other environments, Amber has noticed that in helping others, she actually feels so rewarded. She finds so much joy in working with these kids, especially in getting the privilege to see their individual growth. Amber is a celebrator of each kid’s “Best of All.” She encourages each small step of growth. She recently finished the spring tutoring session, teaching two 3-year-olds, and it was a blast! Virtual tutoring has been hard though, and Amber is beyond excited to meet these kids she has only ever known through a screen. 

Amber keeps coming back to GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley because she loves meeting new kids and teens at programs. She hasn’t met many adults, but would love to in the future! Meeting new people and hearing their stories is what she loves most.  She says, “GiGi’s Playhouse is a place where I can go to have fun and make a difference at the same time, and that’s why I love it!”

We are so grateful for Amber’s ability to give students with Down syndrome a voice through literacy tutoring (and now Kid’s Club!). Thank you Amber for always giving your “Best of All!” 

-Abi Bradshaw