Meet our Youth Board: Allison Providenti

GiGi’s NYC is thrilled to have our Youth Board host Dancing For Down Syndrome again this year! Hear from Allison, member of our Youth Board, about her inspiration to support the GiGi’s NYC community:

Why did you decide to join the Youth Board? I decided to join the Youth Board because, throughout my entire life, I have seen the way GiGi’s Playhouse NYC has made a difference in the Down syndrome
community. I have seen GiGi’s NYC transform the life of my brother, Troy, through the supportive environment, the engaging activities, and the lasting friendships. I have witnessed firsthand how much GiGi’s NYC means to Troy, and to my family as a whole. Seeing this made me want to get involved myself and do what I can as a teenager to contribute to the community. For these reasons, I knew the Youth Board was something I wanted to be a part of.

What do you do on the Youth Board? As a member of the Youth Board, I meet with peers to plan events, fundraise, and expand our network. In our meetings, we talk about how we can take on more tasks to raise awareness and advocacy. We have expanded and we still are expanding our Youth Board to include a range of members with new ideas. We have learned new things, planned events, set up fundraising, and hosted Dancing For Down Syndrome 2022. I look forward to continuing to work with the Youth Board as we grow our involvement and make Dancing For Down Syndrome an annual Youth Board event!

What is your favorite thing about the GiGi’s NYC community? My favorite thing about the GiGi’s NYC community is how accepting and welcoming everyone is. Anyone is able to get involved and participate in the way that feels best for them. The community greets all individuals with a smile and open-mind, creating a true sense of community and belonging. I love how the GiGi’s NYC community truly values each individual and their differences.

What from our community are you most proud of? I am most proud of the community’s way of spreading positivity. I feel as though, no matter what may be going on, I can always find someone at GiGi’s NYC to smile with, to laugh with, to talk with, to dance with and so on. I am proud of the community’s ability to come together and spread positivity unconditionally. GiGi’s NYC really feels like a home where anyone can be themselves. I am so grateful and proud to be a part of that.

GiGi’s NYC is grateful to have a growing number of high school students advocate for the Down syndrome community in such an impactful and thoughtful way. We are thankful to Allison, and the rest of the Youth Board, for spearheading this event for the second year in a row. To learn more about Dancing For Down Syndrome, please visit our website. We hope to see you there on June 10th!