Meet Our Fall 2025 Interns

At GiGi’s Playhouse Nashville, we believe that building a strong community is about more than just the programs we offer. It is about the people who bring their talents, passions, and hearts into our space each and every day. From volunteers to staff to interns, it takes a village to make the Playhouse a place where individuals with Down syndrome can learn, grow, and shine. 

This fall, we are thrilled to welcome two outstanding interns to our team:  Meris Gilliam and Lily Simmons. Both are Occupational Therapy students at Belmont University who are passionate about inclusion, wellness, and empowering individuals of all abilities. We cannot wait for you to meet them, hear their stories, and see the impact they will make during their time with us. 

Meet Meris Gilliam 

Meris is pursuing her Occupational Therapy degree at Belmont, and she brings a unique blend of experiences and passions to her internship. Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Meris developed a strong sense of service early on. She went on to Auburn University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. 

While at Auburn, Meris dedicated time to the EAGLES program, which focuses on creating inclusive opportunities for students of all abilities. That experience sparked her passion for working in spaces where inclusion is not just a goal but a daily practice. It also gave her a deep appreciation for the transformative power of community — something she sees echoed at GiGi’s Playhouse. 

When asked about what she looks forward to most this semester, Meris said she is excited to meet everyone and begin working alongside families, volunteers, and staff. Her energy, openness, and genuine excitement to serve make her a perfect fit for the Playhouse environment.  

Meet Lily Simmons 

Lily is currently in her third year of Belmont’s Occupational Therapy program, but her journey started a few hundred miles south. Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Lily completed her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Columbus State University before deciding to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. Two years ago, she made the leap to move to Nashville to begin her graduate studies, and she says it has been one of the best decisions she has ever made. 

When Lily is not studying or spending time at the Playhouse, you will likely find her outdoors walking with friends, in a hot yoga or pilates class, or curled up with a good book. Family and friends are central to her life, and she carries that same warmth and enthusiasm into the relationships she builds with our participants. 

Lily shared that she is especially excited to see what Occupational Therapy can bring to GiGi’s Playhouse. For her, it is about more than therapy sessions. It is about creating opportunities for our kids to learn, grow, and thrive in meaningful activities that build confidence, independence, and joy. Her curiosity and commitment to connecting OT principles with real life skills make her a wonderful addition to our team. 

Why Interns Matter at GiGi’s 

Interns like Meris and Lily play an important role at GiGi’s Playhouse. They bring fresh perspectives, new skills, and a willingness to jump right in. Their academic training in Occupational Therapy adds a valuable layer to our programs, helping us think creatively about how to support participants in achieving their “Best of All.” 

But perhaps even more importantly, they bring their hearts. At GiGi’s, we know that what makes the biggest difference is not just knowledge or experience but compassion, patience, and a true belief in the potential of every individual. Meris and Lily embody all of these qualities, and we know their presence will be a gift to our families. 

Hosting interns also gives us the chance to make a lasting impact beyond the walls of the Playhouse. By providing future professionals with hands-on, real-world experience, we are helping prepare them to be more compassionate, inclusive, and skilled service providers in their careers. Even if a family never sets foot in our Playhouse, they may one day work with an occupational therapist, teacher, or community leader whose perspective was shaped by their time here. That ripple effect means our mission does not just serve the families who walk through our doors, it reaches countless others in the broader community.

Meris and Lily are part of that ripple, and we are so proud to support their journeys. Their time here strengthens not only GiGi’s today but the future of inclusive care and advocacy for years to come.