Service Sunday: GiGi's Playhouse

Today's Service Sunday, we are introduced to Isabella and we will learn about her volunteering with GiGi's Playhouse. This organization spoke to me because it has so many locations all over the United States. This is an organization that is likely in your city so it's easy to get involved! Isabella sent me the cutest photo of her and her student and I would so love to share it, but unfortunately, I don't have full photo rights from the student, so I decided against sharing it here. But it was seriously SO cute! Here's what Isabella has to say... 

Meet Isabella
Hello Summer Wind readers! My name is Isabella and I am from Chicago. I am a Quality Engineer who has always had a passion for giving back to the community. Over the years I have volunteered at local food banks, assisted refugees through St. Vincent de Paul, and so much more. Currently, I am involved with GiGi’s Playhouse-Chicago as a math tutor.

What is your role at GiGi's Playhouse?
I am currently a 1:1 tutor for math at GiGi's Playhouse-Chicago. The goal of this program is to help increase independence in schoolwork, community, and the workplace. I work with students on telling time, subtraction, money, shapes, and so much more. The student I am currently working with loves food, art, and singing songs by Adele! When I discussed shapes with her, I drew a house talking about what shapes each object was (windows are squares, the roof is a triangle, etc.). Since we both love food, we have also played restaurant and grocery store to help understand the price of items and how to pick out the correct money needed to pay for the items. At the end of our sessions, we sing (I was way out of tune haha) 'Hello' by Adele and the smile on her face could turn any gray sky blue!

How can we get involved?
GiGi’s Playhouse has a total of 46 locations in the US and Mexico that offer free educational,
therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. This organization offers numerous resources, too, for many people. It is a chance for individuals with Down Syndrome to grow and to be in a safe environment. It is a chance for the families to connect and help each other grow. It is a chance for people like you and me to help change someone’s life even a little bit. There are so many ways to get involved with GiGi’s Playhouse and show support! From volunteering to monetary donations to hosting a supply drive. Any commitment you are able to make will help children and adults with Down Syndrome succeed by greatly improving speech and literacy skills, by combating low muscle tone via wellness programs, and by expanding real-world career skills. The GiGi’s Playhouse website is such a great resource to help you figure out what is the best way for you to get involved.

Past Service Sundays:
- Introduction
- Plaid Pajamas Project