Volunteer Spotlight and Survey: Madeline DiPasquale

We want to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Madeline DiPasquale, who served as an intern over the summer at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa. Madeline is currently studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, with a minor in Psychology. Throughout the summer, Madeline was pivotal in her contributions to the Tampa Playhouse with her detail-oriented blogs on our website, assisting the program leads in multiple group programs, and utilizing her creative strengths with take home materials such as recipe cards for our GiGi’s Kitchen Programs. Madeline’s ability to be adaptable, dependable, and flexible while wearing many hats served as a shining example of a model volunteer willing to take on anything that would help the Playhouse prosper and promote a message of acceptance in all her interactions with our participants, families, and staff. So because of this, we are celebrating Madeline. 

We asked Madeline a series of questions so that she could share her experience as a volunteer with us over the summer. Her response are as follows: 

1. What motivated you to apply for an internship at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa? 

I applied for an internship at GiGi’s Playhouse because of my background in working with individuals with disabilities. Before I began my undergraduate studies, I was not opposed to working with specific populations, but I had never considered immersing myself in the special needs community. After gaining a little bit of experience, I found myself wanting to learn more. I previously worked in Belize for a short period of time, providing speech therapy and working with children with ASD. I loved my experience and wanted to broaden my knowledge with other disabilities and continue working with this general population. I have also previously volunteered at GiGi’s Playhouse as a co-lead for GiGiFit Kids. I was excited to continue my work here and have the opportunity to explore more experiences and skills.  

2. What were your primary responsibilities during your internship? 

My primary responsibilities at GiGi’s Playhouse included writing blog posts that translated clinical information into family-friendly resources, helping plan and lead inclusive events such as “Farm Day” and educational workshops, and supporting day-to-day operations at the Playhouse. I also assisted with ideas for program activities and contributed to community outreach, surveys, and design (such as making take-home recipe cards for GiGi’s cooking programs). These responsibilities motivated me to assume leadership, creative, and communication roles that directly impacted both participants and their families. 

3. Describe a memorable interaction or experience you had with a participant. 

A memorable moment from my internship was when I helped lead the Farm Day event. The Hillsborough County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee organized a variety of fun and educational activities, giving me the chance to interact more closely with parents and participants. I had a long conversation with one father in particular, and I immediately noticed how much he reminded me of my own dad. They shared so many qualities: resilience, bravery, humor, and the experience of being retired veterans. Going into GiGi’s, I expected to notice differences between myself and others, but this moment showed me how many similarities we can share too. It was heartwarming, because just as my father has always been my biggest role model, it was clear that this father was one for his son as well. 

Later that day, I spoke with his son, who made me laugh too when he joked that he had turned his hearing aids on just for me. He then told his dad he liked me, and his dad agreed. That exchange stuck with me because it highlighted the power of creating a warm, comfortable environment where people feel seen and valued. It reminded me that working with the Down syndrome community isn’t just about supporting individuals with the diagnosis; it’s about supporting their families and loved ones too. Both the individual and their caregivers need to feel heard, included, and appreciated. Not only did this show me that I could do this for others, but that others had the impact to do this for me as well; I also felt appreciated and seen here. This moment reinforced the importance of building relationships that uplift everyone involved.  

4. How has this internship influenced your perspective on working with individuals with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities? 

Before this internship, I mostly thought about developmental disabilities in terms of challenges and differences. Over time, I began to see the similarities; humor, joy, curiosity, and connection were at the center of every interaction. This experience deepened my belief that true inclusion is about more than just accessibility; it’s about respecting people, celebrating their strengths, and seeing their full humanity. I also came to understand the vital role family systems play in supporting individuals, and how programs like GiGi’s serve both participants and their caregivers. 

5. What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your time at GiGi’s Playhouse? 

I gained many skills, such as outreach writing and learning how to take technical health information and make it accessible for families. I also developed stronger event planning and organizational skills. I also gained exposure to program development and long-term planning. Beyond practical skills, I developed patience, adaptability, and confidence, which are essential qualities when working with diverse communities. 

6. In what ways do you think this experience will impact your future academic or career goals? 

This internship solidified my decision to pursue a career in social work and mental health, while also opening me to the possibility of working in areas like ABA, referring back to my root of speech pathology, or inclusive education. I now feel more confident applying to graduate school and future jobs because I can point to specific experiences, such as outreach, leadership, and family support, that demonstrate my ability to connect theory to practice. More importantly, it gave me clarity about wanting to build a career centered on inclusion and community support. 

7. What advice would you give to future interns at GiGi’s Playhouse Down syndrome Achievement Center Tampa? 

I would encourage future interns to step outside their comfort zone and take initiative. Some of my most meaningful experiences came when I led a program or shared ideas for programming or general topics. Don’t be afraid to offer ideas or discuss possibilities because I quickly realized that being creative and voicing opinions, regardless of how small or big they may seem, is more than welcome and actually encouraged. I’d also suggest spending time interacting directly with families when given the opportunity, as their insights are also very valuable. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek guidance; the staff are incredibly supportive, and leaning on their experience will deepen your own impact. 

If you are interested in volunteering at the Playhouse, whether it is as a intern, program lead, committee member, board member, etc., please fill out our volunteer interest form on our website or by using this link: https://gigisplayhouse.tfaforms.net/4719651?lid=a4z2J000001VX2GQAW&tfa_2793=Tampa&pid=a0q50000005qQZxAAM&tfa_2912=