Volunteer Spotlight: Anu Cherukara

GiGi’s Playhouse Sugar Land is proud to shine a light on one of our incredible volunteers: Anu Cherukara!

Anu joined our Playhouse in June 2024 to support our Dance Kids: Creative Movement program and has since become a dedicated literacy tutor for our adult participants. With every session, she brings energy, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping others build confidence through learning. Anu encourages her students to reach meaningful milestones in reading and celebrates their progress every step of the way.

A proud Houston native and Elkins High School graduate, Anu has served communities in both Greater Houston and Indiana, continuing her passion for giving back throughout high school and college. After earning her degree from Purdue University in December 2023, she returned to Houston and began working as a research assistant at UTHealth Houston’s Center for Neurogenetics and Department of Neurology.

This fall, Anu will begin graduate school at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, having recently matched to their prestigious Genetic Counseling Program! Her long-term goals include advocating for underserved and underrepresented communities through her work in healthcare—and she even hopes to volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse locations on the East Coast.

If you’re a student taking a gap year or planning your next steps after graduation, GiGi’s Playhouse is a fantastic place to volunteer your time, gain hands-on experience, and build your resume—just like Anu has done!

We’re so grateful for everything Anu brings to our Playhouse. Her heart, drive, and joy are felt in every classroom and event—and we know she’s going to continue making a difference wherever she goes. Thank you, Anu—you’re truly one of a kind!