{"id":142484,"date":"2026-07-09T19:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/?p=142484"},"modified":"2026-07-09T19:02:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T00:02:00","slug":"belonging-volunteer-spotlight-rene-wagenaar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/2026\/07\/09\/belonging-volunteer-spotlight-rene-wagenaar\/","title":{"rendered":"Belonging – Volunteer Spotlight: Rene Wagenaar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Volunteer Impact of a Teacher<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Wausau, our volunteers bring energy, kindness, and dedication into every program they support. One of those special volunteers is Rene Wagenaar, whose passion for teaching, creativity, and connection has made a meaningful impact on participants of all ages. We are proud to highlight Rene in this edition of our Volunteer Spotlight and share more about her journey with GiGi\u2019s Playhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making an Inspired First Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rene\u2019s introduction to GiGi\u2019s Playhouse happened when she least expected it. While dropping off flyers for Restlawn Memorial Park, she had the opportunity to connect with staff and take a tour of the Playhouse. That visit turned into something transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the time Rene finished the tour and learned more about GiGi\u2019s mission, she felt inspired to get involved. Seeing firsthand how GiGi\u2019s Playhouse supports individuals with Down syndrome and their families left a lasting impression. What began as a brief stop quickly became the start of her volunteer journey\u2014a reminder of how powerful and transformative an interaction can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteering Where Talents Shine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rene has been volunteering with GiGi\u2019s Playhouse since September 2025 and quickly found her place in two programs that celebrate hands-on learning and creativity: Teen Kitchen and Art Explosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Teen Kitchen, Rene works with our teen chefs as they learn essential cooking skills, build independence, and grow in confidence. The program is full of teamwork, laughter, and accomplishment\u2014and Rene truly enjoys being part of it. She describes the teen chefs as \u201cpretty amazing,\u201d a sentiment echoed by anyone who watches these young participants take pride in what they create.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rene also volunteers with Art Explosion, a program that gives participants of all ages the chance to explore their creativity. Whether it\u2019s painting, crafting, or experimenting with new art techniques, Art Explosion encourages self-expression in a supportive and inclusive environment. Rene loves seeing the imagination and talent of the \u201cartsy participants of all ages\u201d and helping foster a space where creativity can flourish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Teaching Background That Makes a Difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons Rene\u2019s volunteer experience has been so impactful stems from her background in teaching. When she first learned about GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, she immediately recognized how her skills aligned with the organization\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a background in teaching,\u201d Rene shared, \u201cand when I learned more about GiGi\u2019s mission, I thought my skills could be put to use.\u201d Whether she\u2019s guiding teens in the kitchen or encouraging creativity during art programs, Rene brings patience, encouragement, and adaptability to everything she does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What keeps Rene motivated and coming back week after week is the joy of seeing participants grow, gain confidence, and express themselves in new ways. She values the relationships formed during programs and the welcoming atmosphere that defines GiGi\u2019s Playhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Looking Forward to Growth and Creativity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rene is not only appreciative of her current volunteer roles\u2014she\u2019s excited about what\u2019s ahead. When she first began volunteering, GiGi\u2019s Playhouse was transitioning out of garden season. Now, she\u2019s looking forward to seeing the garden reach its full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s excited to watch it bloom during the spring and summer months, knowing how much joy and learning it brings to participants. “The garden reflects so much of what GiGi\u2019s Playhouse represents: growth, nurturing, and shared experiences.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Rene is eager to continue supporting Art Explosion in the future. Helping participants explore their creativity remains one of her favorite parts of volunteering, and she looks forward to contributing to even more art-filled sessions ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank You, Rene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rene Wagenaar\u2019s story is a wonderful reminder of how one interaction can lead to meaningful involvement, lasting impact, and a true sense of belonging. From teaching skills in Teen Kitchen to encouraging creativity in Art Explosion, Rene brings heart, experience, and enthusiasm to every program shared with participants and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse, belonging is at the heart of everything we do, and volunteers like Rene help create the welcoming, supportive community that makes that possible. Rene\u2019s dedication not only enriches our programs but also strengthens the connections that make our Playhouse feel like family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are incredibly grateful for all that Rene contributes and thankful to have Rene as part of the GiGi\u2019s family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you, Rene, for helping create a place where everyone belongs!<\/strong> \ud83d\udc9c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Volunteer Impact of a Teacher At GiGi\u2019s Playhouse Wausau, our volunteers bring energy, kindness, and dedication into every program they support. One of those special volunteers is Rene Wagenaar, whose passion for teaching, creativity, and connection has made a meaningful impact on participants of all ages. We are proud to highlight Rene in this…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29370,"featured_media":142360,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wpo365_audiences":[],"wpo365_private":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[252,251,234,1,246],"tags":[20,253,270],"class_list":["post-142484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-gigis-playhouse","category-programs","category-uncategorized","category-volunteering","tag-gigis-playhouse-wausau","tag-nonprofit","tag-volunteering"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29370"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142484\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142360"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gigisplayhouse.org\/wausau\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}