Meet Gabby: The Familiar Face Behind So Many Virtual Playhouse Programs
If you've joined a Virtual Playhouse program lately, chances are you've met Gabby. From Kids Club and Destination Discovery to Achievers, Dance Party, GiGiFIT Teen, and GiGi's Kitchen Adult, Gabby spends a lot of her week connecting with participants and families from across the country. Her energy is contagious, her creativity keeps programs engaging, and she's always ready...
Best of All: Joanna’s Journey with Virtual Playhouse
For many families, finding the right program that encourages growth, confidence, and connection can feel overwhelming. For Joanna and her family, the Virtual Playhouse became more than just an online program—it became a place where strength, courage, and joy could flourish. Through participating in GiGiFIT, Joanna discovered abilities she never thought...
Finding Joy in Every Sign: Hazel’s Journey with LMNOP at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse
For many families, connection is built in the quiet, everyday moments—the ones that might seem small from the outside but carry so much meaning at home. For Hazel Holt and her family, those moments are happening each week through GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse LMNOP program, where music, movement, and early communication...
Kicks, Confidence, and Community: Sarah’s GiGi’s Journey
Sarah’s journey as a volunteer is rooted in something deeply personal: a lifelong passion for supporting people with special needs and creating spaces where everyone feels included. From her early experiences in special education classes as a child to becoming a leader and advocate in her community today, Sarah’s story...
Turning Math Upside-Down (Literally!): Maggie’s Lightbulb Moment
How a vertical number line helped one student unlock confidence and accuracy By Katie Buss, BSW Intern, Aurora University & GiGi's Playhouse Virtual Playhouse Tutor (Fall 2025 – Spring 2026) When you meet 12-year-old Maggie, you immediately notice her spark. This fifth-grader from Massachusetts brings enthusiasm, humor, and heart to every tutoring session. Whether she’s talking...
Meet Addison: Building Friendships Through GiGi’s
Since joining GiGi's Playhouse in 2023, Addison has become an important part of the community through his dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping others. Wanting to give back to a community that means so much to many families and individuals, Addison quickly found a meaningful way to make a positive...
Volunteer at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse: Meet Intern Hannah
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to volunteer at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse, Hannah’s story is the perfect place to start. Her experience captures what makes this community so special—connection, growth, and those small but powerful moments that stay with you long after a program ends. At GiGi’s Virtual...
Stronger Every Day: A Story of Growth, Reading, and Community
March always feels special here at GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse. It’s National Reading Month, a time to celebrate literacy and all the ways learning opens doors for our participants. And it’s also when we celebrate something that means so much to our entire community—World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st. Together, these moments capture what GiGi’s...
Celebrating “Best of All” Moments with Virtual Playhouse
At GiGi's Playhouse, the phrase “Best of All” carries a powerful meaning. It’s not about perfection or competition—it’s about progress. It’s the idea that growth is continual, measurable, and always worth celebrating. Every small step forward matters, and those moments add up to something truly meaningful over time. For our family, one of those “Best...
Honoring a Sister’s Legacy: Dan’s Volunteer Journey with GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse
For Dan, volunteering with GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse is more than just giving back—it’s a way to honor someone very special in his life. His younger sister was born with Down syndrome, and her memory continues to inspire the time and energy he dedicates to supporting individuals with Down syndrome today. Dan remembers his...
Elian’s Love for Reading with GiGi’s Online 1:1 Literacy Tutoring
Elian has been part of GiGi’s Online 1:1 Literacy Tutoring program for almost two years, and his mom has shared what a joy it’s been to watch him grow. From a very early age, Elian showed a love for books. By the time he was one, he was already holding books upright, turning the...
Finding Community Wherever She Goes: Sofia and GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse
Sofia’s journey with GiGi’s Playhouse began at her local Playhouse in her hometown, where she first immersed herself in the GiGi’s community. From the start, she was drawn to the welcoming environment, the emphasis on purposeful programming, and the genuine connections formed between participants, families, and volunteers. As Sofia’s life...