TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa nonprofit that provides free educational and therapeutic programs for individuals with Down syndrome says it’s facing a critical shortage — not of funding, but of volunteers.
What You Need To Know
GiGi’s Playhouse says it’s facing a critical shortage of volunteers
The Tampa nonprofit provides free educational and therapeutic programs for individuals with Down syndrome
It’s 99% volunteer run and right now, they’re having to waitlist families for some of their most popular programs
GiGi’s Playhouse says more help is needed now to keep its programs open to the families who rely on them. It’s 99% volunteer run and right now, they’re having to waitlist families for some of their most popular programs. They say they hate having to turn anyone away, so they’re hoping the community steps up to help out.
Valencia Trujillo is only two years old, and she’s spent a good part of her two years at GiGi’s Playhouse.
“When you first have a child with Down syndrome, and you get that diagnosis, you kind of don’t know what to do, you don’t know what resources are out there, what support there is, and everyone was telling us, you have to go check out GiGi’s,” said Daniel Trujillo, Valencia’s dad.
Daniel said Valencia has made new friends through the programs at GiGi’s, and he’s amazed by her progress.
“She’s learned to be a lot more social because she’s with peers who are like her, same age, also with Down syndrome or autism, and just seeing her interact with them and seeing that there are other kids just like her,” said Daniel.
GiGi’s Playhouse offers programs for all ages — from infants to adults, specializing in therapies and educational programs for people with Down syndrome and other special needs — all offered to families at no cost. Right now, they’re in desperate need of volunteers.
“Our adults are by far our biggest population and we are having to waitlist individuals because our programs, on Saturday in particular, have grown exponentially,” said Program and Volunteer Coordinator Gregory Voda.
Voda says there’s no aging out at GiGi’s, and the waitlist continues growing. Daniel says he’s thankful Valencia got in when she did, and he encourages anyone with extra time to consider becoming a GiGi’s volunteer.
“If you take one look at the smile on some of these kids’ faces, and how much they love the activities and they love all the classes and everything they get to learn here, I think that look would tell you everything you need to know. It’s such a worthwhile cause,” said Daniel.
Voda says you don’t need to have any special skills or certifications to volunteer — guides are provided for the programs, and there are all sorts of positions they need filled right now.