Volunteer Spotlight: Aurora University Interns: Joey and Ana

Reflections on Experience at GiGi’s Playhouse

Ana: “These past 7 months at GiGi’s Playhouse have been a life-changing experience that confirmed my passion for working with children and their families. I have grown no only as a professional but also as an individual. Before GiGi’s Playhouse, I didn’t have any experience working with individuals with disabilities so I was beyond nervous to start because I didn’t know what to expect. I was able to get out of my comfort zone and try new things that I wouldn’t have ever thought of doing. I loved being able to be part of watching my peeps growing and achieving new milestones. I learned to look at the positive things and what is being accomplished instead of what isn’t being accomplished. I will definitely be back to visit the participants and keep volunteering. Thank you GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley!”

Joey: “My time at GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley has been a truly fun and enlightening experience. Prior to arriving at the Playhouse, I had very little experience with individuals with disabilities and I was unsure of what to expect. After spending seven months being apart of this wonderful community I learned three things, how to be a friend, how to love more deeply, and how to have unrelenting positivity. My Fantastic Friends taught me so much. Each and every week they would walk into the Playhouse with bright, smiling faces and make my day. Being able to watch and be apart of the growth of the group is something I will never forget. My time at GiGi’s Playhouse has changed me for the better. It has made me a more kind, generous, and accepting person, it has taught me to see the Best of All in each person, and most importantly has taught me to look past a diagnosis and love people for who they truly are. Thank you GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley!”

Joey and Ana were great interns. They did everything that was asked of them and always with a smile. From cleaning out the storage room, making reminder calls about programs, soliciting for auction items for the gala, presentations to local schools about #generationG, service and learning fairs, recruitment fairs, participating in the Naperville St. Patrick’s Day parade and more. They will be missed by not only myself, but also our participants. They served as the program leaders of LMNOP and Fantastic Friends. Because of their enthusiasm and engaging personalities they have helped our programs to grow! They will be sorely missed, but we are happy to know they have both decided to go on toward getting their Master’s Degrees in Social Work and will be interning at SD308 and SD200. We wish them well and hope they return as volunteers!!!