What’s Your Why? with Youth Board President Amanda Williams

In this blog, we go 1:1 with GiGi’s Hillsborough Youth Board President Amanda Williams, who is a senior at the Academy of Health and Medical Science at Somerset County Votech High School.  It was great to catch up with Amanda about her role as President and what our Youth Board is up to!

Q:  Why do you volunteer at GiGi’s?
Amanda: I first learned of GiGi’s Playhouse through program participants I had become friends with in town. I started volunteering and just wanted to volunteer more and more. I volunteer at programs, serve as a literacy tutor, and am now the Youth Board President. I feel I have found my purpose in the Down syndrome community.  My time spent at GiGi’s is something I genuinely enjoy. My friends with Down syndrome have taught me not to sweat the small stuff; shown me the joy in everything; and introduced me to fierce, unconditional love I would not know without them.

Q: What is your role as Youth Board President?
Amanda: I lead the 10 Youth Board members in organizing monthly meetings, setting up fundraisers, attending community outreach functions, and planning playhouse events.

Q: What is the Youth Board trying to achieve?
Amanda: Our top focus areas are on fundraising and promoting Down syndrome acceptance. To fundraise we have currently held a “Dine to donate” fundraiser every month at various locations across area. In addition to fundraising at these events, we focus on spreading information about Down Syndrome and the opportunities GiGi’s Playhouse provides to the community.

Q: Favorite thing about volunteering at GiGi’s?
Amanda: My favorite thing about volunteering at GiGi’s is the relationships I’ve formed. Specifically, I’m an English tutor for a teenage boy, Mattie. It brings me so much pride to watch how he’s grown and succeeded over the years we have worked together. I look forward to our sessions together as well as the jokes and games we play. We’ve developed a bond just like I have with my brothers. I’m so grateful for his friendship.

Q: What are your plans after high school?
Amanda: I currently attend the Academy of Health and Medical Science at Somerset County Votech. Through this program, I am dual enrolled at Raritan Valley Community College, and this May, I will graduate from RVCC with an Associate’s degree in General Science. In the fall, I plan to go on to nursing school and hope to advance in the field with a Master’s or Doctorate degree.

Q: What other activities are you involved in?
Amanda: In addition to my role at GiGi’s playhouse I am a volunteer and ambassador for PALS programs. PALS is a nonprofit inclusive summer camp where young adults with Down syndrome and their peers are paired 1:1 to have fun, grow as individuals, and build transformative friendships. I spend several weeks a year away volunteering with PALS. In addition, I play varsity golf for Hillsborough High School, work at Hillsborough Shop Rite, and with what time I have left, enjoy fitness and spending time with friends and family.

Q: Most memorable GiGi’s moment?
Amanda: There have been too many to just name one!

Are you interested in being a member of the GiGi’s Playhouse Hillsborough Youth Board? The application period is now open through the end of the month; send an email to youthboardhillsborough@gigisplayhouse.org to get your application.

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