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 to celebrate even the smallest victories. 

Gabby recently finished school to become an Occupational Therapist, but her connection to GiGi’s started years ago. Before joining the Virtual Playhouse staff, she led programs at both GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster, PA and Hillsborough, NJ. Along the way, she discovered what so many of us already know—GiGi’s is about much more than programs. It’s about relationships. 

One of the things Gabby loves most about her work is getting to watch participants grow over time. 

While visiting GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster recently, she experienced a full-circle moment when one of her very first participants stopped by to say hello. When they first met, he was less than a year old and participating in GiGiFIT Infant. Today, he’s three years old. 

Seeing him again reminded Gabby just how special it is to be part of a community that grows alongside families. What begins as a weekly program often turns into years of shared milestones, celebrations, and memories. 

That visit brought back a lot of those memories. While she was at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster, Gabby jumped into GiGiFIT Infant, GiGiFIT Toddler, and GiGi Prep and had the chance to reconnect with participants, families, and fellow team members she has known for years. 

Some of those relationships have extended far beyond the programs themselves. Over time, Gabby has become close with the Hewitt family, who help lead the Lancaster Playhouse. During her recent visit, she and Bella enjoyed a girls’ day filled with lunch, ice cream, and plenty of laughter. 

Those are the moments that stick with you. 

While participants and families see Gabby leading programs each week, she’s also constantly looking for ways to learn and grow behind the scenes. Recently, she was accepted into the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group-USA (DSMIG-USA), a professional organization that provides access to current research, resources, and a network of practitioners dedicated to improving care for individuals with Down syndrome. 

As a newly graduated Occupational Therapist, Gabby is excited to continue learning and bringing that knowledge back to the families and participants she serves. When she shared the news with the team, she was especially excited to see familiar names involved in the organization, including professionals connected to GiGiFIT. 

That dedication shows up in the programs she leads every week. 

Recently, Gabby shared exciting news about our Wednesday adult programs. Achievers welcomed a large group of participants, while Fantastic Friends reached an incredible milestone with 23 participants attending the program. Even more exciting, participation continues to grow week after week. 

For Virtual Playhouse families, those numbers represent much more than attendance. They represent friendships forming across state lines, participants building confidence, and individuals finding a place where they can connect, learn, and have fun together. 

Gabby’s creativity has always been one of her greatest strengths. One fun fact about her is that she created and led an animal-assisted therapy program at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster, combining her love of animals with her background in therapy. It’s just one example of the thoughtful and innovative approach she brings to her work. 

Whether she’s leading a dance party, teaching a cooking skill, exploring a new destination with participants, or celebrating someone’s accomplishment, Gabby brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and genuine care to every program she leads. 

We’re grateful for everything she brings to GiGi’s Virtual Playhouse. Families know her as a friendly face on their screen each week, but behind every program is someone who truly cares about helping participants learn, grow, and feel connected. We can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.