Volunteer Wish List

People often ask what are the things we need most to keep GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley running. Yes, we need money and specific items, but what we need the most are people. Volunteers are what makes the Playhouse possible- they help run the programs, tutor the students, clean the Playhouse, and staff the special events, just to name a few of the roles these important people fulfill. As we continue to grow, so does the need for more volunteers.

Some of the key roles we need fulfilled include:

• Volunteer Coordinator
  • Serve as primary contact for volunteers
  • Schedule and conduct monthly volunteer orientations
  • Plan Volunteer Appreciation events
  • Conduct individual volunteer orientations as necessary

• Literacy Coordinator
  • Emails family upon receipt of tutoring application
  • Responsible for scheduling and matching tutors with students
  • Creates family units books for Literacy Program with assistance from additional volunteers
  • Maintains Literacy family database
  • Communicates with Tutors regarding materials and supplies
  • Coordinates training and support
  • Responds to phone calls and inquires in a timely manner

• Program Coordinator
  • Serves as primary contact for program leaders and assistants
  • Oversees the Playhouse program and event schedule
  • Periodically attends programs to give feedback and aids Program Leader
  • Communicates volunteer needs to the Volunteer Coordinator
  • Reviews program participation reports on a monthly basis and works collaboratively with
    Site Coordinator to increase participation\

• Program Volunteers
  • Program Leader- Leading/ assisting for a program is generally a once per month commitment, and does not have to be an every month commitment.
  • Program Volunteers– assist with program activities, set-up and clean-up.
  • We need volunteer therapists and educators, though that is not required, you just have to want to help. The Site Coordinator and Program Coordinator are always available

• Be a Tutor– right now we offer literacy tutoring
  • Tutoring requires a big commitment, but gives the most in return.
  • The 8- 10 week commitment will have you meeting with your assigned student once a week for 45 minutes to an hour. Plan on really getting to know your student.
  • This is the one volunteer position that you must be 18 years old, or have an adult who is available to chaperone your sessions.
  • You do not have to be a teacher, training is provided by GiGi’s Playhouse.

• Clean Team
  • Help keep the Playhouse clean! The Playhouse belongs to everyone, and here at Fox Valley we want everyone to treat it like a second home, but a clean second home.
  • Toys needs to wiped down, balls need to be washed and so much more.

• Playhouse coverage– sometimes our Site Coordinator cannot be here for open hours, and we need people who can open and close the Playhouse, and everything in between.

That is our volunteer wish list here at GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley. It is said time & time again, as long as you come with good intentions there is no wrong way to volunteer. We do not place a minimum on the number of hours any one person has to volunteer, and no one is never asked to do something you are not comfortable doing. The happiness, safety and health of my volunteers is just as important as that of our Playhouse participants.

If you are interested in volunteering, go to our website at and fill out a volunteer interest application.  You can then attend our next volunteer orientation on Tuesday, July 10, at 7PM. Feel free to contact the Playhouse at (630) 778-7529 or by email at Foxvalley@gigisplayhouse.org with questions.