Posts by jscheel

At GiGi’s Playhouse, we believe that every milestone deserves to be celebrated — no matter how big or small. For 12-year-old Maneet, one of those milestones happened in the most unexpected place: the kitchen. When Maneet joined GiGi’s Kitchen in early 2024, he brought with him a bright smile, a curious spirit, and a few…

This summer, we welcomed a very special new participant to our GiGiFit kids program: a young girl named Isabella.  Isabella arrived late in the season, during a time when most of our regular participants were already familiar with the routines, activities, and high energy that GiGiFit is known for. But for Isabella, everything was brand…

When I think about GiGi’s Playhouse, one word immediately comes to mind: joy. Time and time again, I leave the playhouse with a huge smile on my face. Everyone who walks in the door is immediately surrounded by love and support. The volunteers, staff, and board members are deeply passionate about what they do, and…

This past weekend was one of those days that remind us why we do what we do. GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh had the incredible privilege of participating in Victory Day with NC State Football for the seventh year in a row, and words can hardly capture what it meant for our participants, their families, and our…

At GiGi’s Playhouse, we love to highlight “Best of All” moments—those times when participants stretch themselves, try something new, and discover just how capable they truly are. This June, we were thrilled to witness not one, but two inspiring “Best of All” stories. Fiona and Meredith, both adults in our GiGi University program, began their…

I was first introduced to Gigi’s Playhouse when I was in 7th grade- my mom and I had just joined a charity league, and another mom and daughter pair invited us to volunteer at their program, Destination Discovery. The minute I walked in the door, I was welcomed with open arms. Gigi’s is not my…

For years, I found my rhythm in the classroom, teaching, connecting, watching light bulbs flicker on in students’ eyes. I was deeply rooted in the world of education, where every day brought new challenges and new chances to make a difference. After moving back to North Carolina, my teaching career took a shift. I left…

When I moved to the United States from Ukraine at the age of 15, I knew I was stepping into a completely new life. North Carolina became my new home — a place where I finished high school, pursued my degrees in nutrition science, and started to lay down roots. But while I was chasing…