Updates

“You can’t do SEL, trauma, or equity work without each other,” Jennette Claassen, Head of Evaluation, Playworks. As Playworks continued to progress on our equity journey, we explored a critical question: what are the intersections between play, social and emotional learning, physical activity, and trauma? A working group focused on this question decided, among other…

Playworks launched a pilot of TagTeam in partnership with Boys and Girls Club of America in cities across the country, beginning in 2019. This pilot expansion has been supported by The Allstate Foundation. Read about Playworks Indiana’s experience implementing TagTeam with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis and Liberty Park Elementary School in Metropolitan…

Playworks is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the national Board of Directors. “I am thrilled to welcome our new board members,” said CEO Elizabeth Cushing. “The unique perspectives and leadership they bring will be vital to Playworks as we continue working to ensure that every child experiences safe and healthy…

When Playworks began our equity journey several years ago, we knew it would be a long term investment in our people, partners, and communities. We committed to centering equity as we prioritize partnerships with diverse communities nationwide, and this needed to begin by addressing racial equity in Playworks. We began by developing a team of…

Playworks AmeriCorps members, we see YOU! Join us this week in a celebration of the contributions AmeriCorps members make in our communities. This school year, we have 63 Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches serving approximately 47,500 students in our schools. Playworks coaches are caring, consistent adults, working to make playgrounds safer and to help create positive school…

“Each unique expression of generosity will have value far beyond what we can imagine or live to see.” – MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and novelist Playworks is honored to receive a gift from MacKenzie Scott! This generous gift will help us make play accessible to more kids and fund our work with schools and community-based organizations…

In partnership with AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah School Safety Patrol program, we’re proud to share teacher-led and student self-guided digital educational resources for Creating Safe Spaces – an interactive guide for students on how to have courageous conversations. AAA Creating Safe Spaces Overview This lesson is all about students being leaders in creating…

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of play! Kids need to play more than ever. This year, Playworks is celebrating our 25th anniversary. That’s 25 years of inclusive games, positive language, high-fives, conflict resolution techniques, skill development, and more. We need your support to continue bringing kids the #powerofplay for the next 25 years.…

Play brings out the best in every kid. Over the course of 25 years since Jill Vialet founded Playworks, she and her colleagues, as well as researchers and play experts, have demonstrated precisely how and why play works to help kids learn and grow in the most positive and healthy ways. Jill gathered stories from people…