Hugs + Mugs Intern Spotlight | Aubrey

Hugs + Mugs is a café and retail store run by our GiGi U graduates, now referred to as “Interns” along with our support and staff. Each intern will manage different aspects of a real-life retail environment and continue building their career skills.

Today, we want to introduce you to one of our amazing Hugs + Mugs interns…Aubrey!

Aubrey is 23 years old and has been working as an intern at Hugs + Mugs for 3 years. She is passionate about her work and loves meeting new friends on the job! Aubrey shared that the most rewarding skills she has developed from interning are becoming independent, and stepping out of her comfort zone.

When asked what a typical day looks like on the job, Aubrey explained that she starts with cleaning, checking the fridge stock, making delicious lattes, and selling Hugs + Mugs merchandise. She even got to work at the Hugs + Mugs booth at the GiGi’s Chicagoland 5k, which was a very memorable experience for her.

Her favorite item on the menu is the dairy-free Strawberry Sorbet, topped with chocolate and caramel syrup!

Aubrey also has a natural talent in music, which includes writing songs, singing, dancing, and her favorite – rapping! These not only bring her joy in her free time, but also help her practice her speech skills.

One of Aubrey’s favorite memories of GiGi’s Playhouse is helping weekly at LMNOP! She loves mentoring the toddlers and babies, as well as teaching them songs, rhymes, and doing fun crafts with them.

When she is not interning at Hugs + Mugs, Aubrey can be found working at the Century 16 Movie Theater, shopping with her mom, or attending Fantastic Friends events.

“I love making mugs, and making a difference in the Down syndrome community.”

Come out and visit Hugs + Mugs to try Aubrey’s favorite Strawberry Sorbet, or any of our delicious gelato flavors! We hope to see you soon!

Every visit to Hugs & Mugs, every purchase made on our online store gives the interns of Hugs & Mugs hands on skill training that helps them build their resumes.  All proceeds go directly back into training opportunities. When you shop Hugs & Mugs you are making a difference in the lives of hard-working individuals with Down syndrome.  Thank you!

Check out the Hugs & Mugs page for more information.