It happened at GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough in 2017…

Jason with Board President Erin Morris

A life changed

Jason is one of our active adult participants. He never misses a Friday Friends, is always ready to represent GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough in the community and has had great success in our literacy tutoring. Just before his 39^th birthday he read his first complete sentence, now 41 he has 200 site words.

At our Grand Reopening Jason presented Board President Erin Morris & Site Coordinator Liz Kepniss with a dozen red roses each. With the flowers came a letter that said “I love GiGi’s Playhouse for being there for me. And Carol Croll {his tutor} for teaching me to read. You are a gift to me. This is my gift to you. Love, Jason.” Attached to the letter was $100 of his own money.

Jason’s mom recently told Liz that because of GiGi’s Playhouse coming to Hillsborough her son has a social life she never dreamed possible!

Mia and Jacob out for ice cream.

Friendship Beyond the Playhouse

Mia’s friendship with Jacob has extended beyond the Playhouse. He has not liked getting his hair cut, ever. With Mia’s encouragement, he went to the local barber for a haircut, didn’t argue with the barber and got his first professional haircut in a long time. After the haircut, Jacob and Mia enjoyed ice cream and dinner at his favorite restaurant.

“Jacob’s friendship with Mia is special to him. He is more willing to go new places and try new things when he is with Mia. A perfect example of that was Jacob’s first trip to a barber shop in years; haircuts have gone from a battle at home to being a fun event with a friend,” said Jacob’s dad John.

Learning to Help Others

Every year a 4^th Grade class at Mendham Township Middle School is introduced to GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough; their teacher Lisa is a volunteer here. Throughout the month of October they collect supplies for the Playhouse to help offset some of the day to day operational costs. This year her class went above and beyond expectations, bringing in over $600 worth of cleaning and office supplies, gift cards and more!