Friends, Fun & Fitness- Volunteer Spotlight

I had recently returned from living in South Africa for 3 months volunteering at a care centre for children with special needs and was picking up Indian food takeout when I walked by the Hoffman Estates Gigi’s Playhouse. As soon as I got home I looked up the playhouse online to see what exactly this “playhouse” was. It happened to be exactly what I was looking to get involved in after volunteering abroad. I immediately signed up for a volunteer orientation and began volunteering with different programs. I am a Physical Therapist so I was drawn to the programs that I could utilize some of my background as a PT (“crawlers”, “hop, skip, jump”, and “friends, fun, and fitness”) but I also volunteered in literary tutoring as well. I have been the program leader for Friends, Fun, and Fitness for the past 4 years and love every Thursday night!

The best parts of volunteering throughout the years have been to not only see the growth and development of the playhouse, but of all the participants as well. The playhouse tends to bring out the best in each participant and is truly a place for each child and young adult to thrive. I have been able to see physical strength increase in participants, but more importantly confidence, self-esteem, and even leadership. My favorite times are when a new participant joins in on a Thursday and the more experienced participants buddy up with new individual and assist them throughout the night.

Jenn Stepaniuk

Friends, Fun & Fitness Leader