May 2025 Best of All

The highlights below are just a few of the #bestofall moments we witnessed this month. Sometimes it’s hard to choose what we highlight! May was a blur with programs, meetings, and events. Our spring interns completed their time with us and have moved on in their learning journeys. However, one special intern will be sticking around in a different capacity. Ms Maddie is offering several special programs for parents in the coming weeks, and she has applied to become a board member. She was approved at the May meeting, so we’re excited to continue working with her.

Participant Best of All

Taylor is one of our quietest participants, so when she speaks up and uses her words, we are excited! She has been participating in our Adult Group Speech Programs, Coffee Club, and Memory Makers. Recently, we have seen Taylor use her #bestofall voice. She has been speaking up more often and using her words to express her likes, dislikes, wants, and needs during these programs. Keep speaking up, Taylor, we love to hear your voice!

Volunteer Spotlight

If you’re loved one has been part of our yoga program over the past year or so, you will have met Stephanie Phares. Stephanie is a professor at St Ambrose University in the Occupational Therapy Department. She has a passion for yoga, along with making yoga more accessible in the community. Stephanie dipped her toes into volunteering here at GiGi’s back in 2021, but then came on full force in 2023 by leading the yoga program. She has also introduced her SAU students to GiGi’s and has had several of them assist her with leading yoga. In addition to leading yoga, for the past two years she has assisted students with overseeing and planning a trivia night, raising funds on our behalf. We truly appreciate her time and dedication to our playhouse.

Playhouse Inspiration

Last summer, we launched our Music Makers: Rock Band in collaboration with Quad Cities Music Therapy and Ms Misty! It has been inspirational to see the growth in the participants. They have all become more confident, and their skill sets have truly blossomed! This month, they held a concert for their family and friends. We hope to share a special blog soon, highlighting this specific program, but we wanted to share the inspiration that came out of their special rock concert performance! PS Rock Band is taking a short break but will be back in action soon. This program is for 16-year-olds and older. They will begin again on Thursday, June 12th. If you’re interested, you can sign up now on the website calendar linked here.

YOU can submit your Best of All stories and moments too!

Staff typically choose these stories, but we’d love to hear from you too! If you see or hear something worth highlighting, please let us know!

309-762-7529 or email quadcities@gigisplayhouse.org

#bestofall