Volunteer Spotlight: Jane Cohen

Meet Jane, our wonderful volunteer Intern here at GiGi’s Playhouse NYC!

Having recently moved to NY, Jane wanted to find a way to contribute a few hours of her time per week in a way that would make a positive impact in the community. She began helping out a couple of days a week, working with participants and assisting with programing. Before long, she noticed a shift – volunteering at GiGi’s began to change her worldview: “I know that seems grandiose but it is true. Before becoming involved with the playhouse I saw my life as a journey to find enlightenment, to attain inner peace within myself. What is the key – could it be yoga? meditation? GiGi’s has taught me the fatal flaw in that way of thinking – at the end of the day it is a selfish approach. I think that discovering love, compassion and kindness in oneself is really only the very first step on the right path – to actually walk it is to be finding, at every step, new ways to give these things away. Only love is truly electric. Being part of the GiGi’s community has taught me that.”

Jane was also struck by the crucial importance of role that GiGi’s Playhouse was fulfilling in the Down syndrome community of NYC. “Working with the participants at GiGi’s has led me to become part of a new movement of understanding and action made up of those who see the reality that the only actual limits which people with Down syndrome face are those which have, historically, been placed on them by uninformed notions about what it means to exist as a person with Down syndrome. Without these false, externally imposed limits, the potential of individuals with down syndrome is infinite. Organisations like GiGi’s Playhouse are an essential part of helping such individuals reach that potential.” Understanding the full significance of GiGi’s Playhouse NYC as an organisation led her to further her involvement and sign on as an intern – did I mention that her primary role is to help out with our social media presence? 😉👋