Volunteer Spotlight – Ginger Clasen

GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans is grateful for Ginger Clasen! Ginger serves as a Board Member and is our Gratitude Committee Program Co-Leader. Ginger is beaming with positivity and friendliness. She is always welcoming with a smile on her face. Ginger brings a wealth of knowledge, advocacy and experience to our community with contagious energy. We are thrilled she joined our team! Learn a little more about Ginger below.

How did you find GiGi’s Playhouse New Orleans?
My parents received an email through their church about GiGi’s and how they were looking for more volunteers. based on my experience, passion for the disability rights movement, and my desire to be involved in the Louisiana disability community, I thought, “What a perfect way to get involved – meet people with disabilities!”

Where are you from and what are some of your interests?

I am from New Orleans. However, I spent 15 years in Austin where I received my Masters of Science in Social Work and worked in disability policy, predominantly at The Arc of Texas. I am happy to have recently moved back “home”. I now live in Belle Chasse with my husband and golden retriever. I love gardening, oil painting, and good people. To relax I enjoy sitting outside with good friends, dogs, and red wine.

What is it about the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse that appeals to you, personally?
Shortly after becoming a disability advocate, I read a book that framed the disability rights movement as “the movement to end all movements.” This is because the movement is about accepting that all people are different and valuable. It’s society that creates the issues. GiGi’s works to not only support people with disabilities but to change perceptions and promote the strengths of all.

What do you love about being at GiGi’s? What keeps you coming back?
I love getting to know people and their unique strengths and ideas. Gratitude committee offers such an opportunity to benefit not just the participants but the New Orleans community as a whole. Every committee I leave, knowing we are all working together to make positive change. Even if it is a small thing/activity, the impact can have a ripple effect.

Do you have a favorite memory from volunteering?
I enjoy watching everyone work together to create and achieve something. I love when participants step up to help each other. Recently several of us on the committee worked together to help make a picture frame that was not only an awesome frame, but tapped into the interest of the artist so everyone could achieve the goal.

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse?

Embrace each person’s voice, assume competence, and empower everyone to do their best. You won’t be disappointed, in fact, you will learn and grow yourself!

If you’re interested in joining our volunteer team, you can learn more and sign up by visiting our volunteer homepage: https://gigisplayhouse.org/neworleans/volunteer/.