Celebrating 2021 Volunteer of the Year Katherine O’Neill

How does it feel to be named Volunteer of the Year for GiGi’s?

Katherine in a virtual program with participants Kelly, Chris, and Alexa.

I feel incredibly honored to be named Volunteer of the Year, but to be honest, I was completely shocked to hear my name mentioned! This year was the first time I’ve attended a GiGi’s gala, so I wasn’t aware of the various awards that are usually presented. It was a wonderful surprise, to say the least.

How did you first get involved with GiGi’s?
I stumbled across the GiGi’s website one day and was excited to learn that a Playhouse existed locally in Hillsborough (I live close by, in East Brunswick). I was impressed by the breadth of programs available for participants of all ages and felt that my experience as an occupational therapist could be of value as a volunteer, so I reached out to Liz … and the rest is history!

What do you do as a Volunteer? What are your goals?
My responsibilities as a volunteer are primarily related to Living Independently is For Everyone (LIFE), a pilot program that I developed for our adult participants. This group program incorporates components of occupational therapy with a heavy emphasis on improving participants’ level of independence within their respective communities. My goals are to expand the number of participants served through the LIFE program, and to hopefully develop more OT-based programs for The Playhouse.

Katherine at a socially-distanced meeting of LIFE at the Playhouse.

How did the idea for the LIFE program come to you?
When I first met with Liz to start brainstorming some ways that I could contribute as a volunteer, we talked about the various programs offered at The Playhouse and found that there was a need for a program that could address community-based ADLs like shopping and money management. While I created the program structure and curriculum, I can’t take credit for the awesome title. Using the acronym, “LIFE,” was actually a product of Liz’s PR and marketing genius!

Tell us about this current project — having OTs from Columbia University interning at The Playhouse. What will they be doing?

Katherine with OT student interns Lauren (left) and Arianna (center.)

It has been a dream of mine to start up one-on-one OT at GiGi’s since I first started volunteering, and that’s exactly what our OT interns from Columbia University are here to do! Our interns, Arianna and Lauren, have been working with multiple participants on an individual basis. Some of the goals our participants are working towards include folding laundry, making small purchases, shoe-tying, preparing a sandwich, improving self-regulation, and even employment seeking!

Arianna and Lauren have also been leading group programs such as TEAM, EPIC, and Destination Discovery. They will also lead a 2-part virtual workshop on sexuality and intimacy; part one is for the parents/caregivers on Monday, May 10, and part two is for the participants on Thursday, May 13. Register online through the GiGi’s at Home calendar.

What do you enjoy most about your work at GiGi’s?
I love the accepting, supportive community that GiGi’s has built. It’s amazing to see the close bonds that have formed between participants and being able to be a part of it all is just the icing on the cake.