Volunteering with impact: How students can help at GiGi’s Playhouse
For many high schoolers, finding a place to volunteer and make a difference in their community is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with busy schedules in need of flexibility.
At GiGi’s Playhouse, a non-profit that provides free tutoring, social classes, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, volunteering can be low-commitment but stay high impact. Outside of the programs, GiGi’s Playhouse also spreads awareness and helps the community better understand Down syndrome.
High school students can get involved at GiGi’s Playhouse in many ways. As Kristi Casper, Operations Manager, said, “You can volunteer in programs as a welcome assistant, help with setup, interact with participants, facilitate activities, and help with cleanup. You can also tutor in literacy or math for about an hour a week, or lead school and community awareness campaigns and fundraising drives to support GiGi’s mission.”
Zac, a participant at GiGi’s Playhouse, after completing his program
Archit Tamhane, a recent graduate of Conant who volunteered at GiGi’s his senior year, teaching martial arts to the students, said the experience was a learning opportunity for him while allowing him to share his love of martial arts. He explained that working with the students at GiGi’s Playhouse taught him patience and how to be flexible in his teaching. He also shared how much he enjoyed watching his students learn new skills and gain confidence with each lesson, especially seeing the pure joy on their faces after each class.
Even volunteering once a week can make a meaningful impact, so students can find something both time efficient but personally fulfilling.
The impact of these programs shines through the stories of the participants. Casper shared an inspiring example about Zac, a participant who recently made a huge achievement at GiGi’s Playhouse. “For the very first time, Zac took an Uber all on his own to attend his Career Program,” she said.
“When he walked through the doors,” Casper said, “he proudly announced, ‘Guess what I did today? I took an Uber all on my own!’ This wasn’t just about transportation skills, it was about learning responsibility, problem-solving, and confidence.” GiGi’s programs provide the support and opportunities that help participants like Zac grow and gain real life skills.
Looking ahead, GiGi’s Playhouse has big plans for the future. Casper said, “Our goals are to continue to grow our network so we support even more individuals with Down syndrome. We want to increase our reach of programming and expand existing programming to better serve our population.” High school students, families, and the community can all play a role in this mission through volunteering, spreading awareness, or supporting fundraising efforts. Students interested in volunteering with the program can go to gigiplayhouse.org and fill out the volunteering interest form. Every contribution helps GiGi’s Playhouse continue to make a difference in our community.
