Education
We support nonprofits committed to expanding access to quality education and opportunities for growth, health and well-being.
Featured Partner
PLAYWORKS
For children, playtime – both organized and open-ended – is essential for mental health, emotional well-being, physical development and social learning. As funders and parents, we believe in encouraging the joy of play.
Playworks facilitates safe, healthy and imaginative school activities to help students make the most out of their recess time. Whether creating inclusive games, establishing age-appropriate behavioral expectations, or designing activities to learn conflict resolution, Playworks develops accessible and memorable play opportunities for children across the country.
Expanding Access
In 2009, the Foundation sponsored a track with the Social Innovation Forum aimed at reducing childhood obesity, ultimately selecting Playworks. At that time, Playworks, a national organization, was ready to expand their successful program to more schools across the country. We worked with them to expand their service delivery model to increase their outreach to schools that wanted to incorporate Playworks’ program. Their service model at the time was for schools that had more than 50% of their students receiving free or reduced lunch.
During our years working with Playworks, we helped them develop a new “train the trainer” model for schools, offer education in play and recess management skills for interested teachers. These educators would then share their new skills with fellow teachers in their individual schools, reducing the need for outside instructional staff time and resources. This new approach enabled Playworks to expand their programs into more schools nationwide. Today, it is their primary model.
Expanding Access
We first met Playworks through our association with Boston’s Social Innovation Forum. At that time, Playworks was ready to expand their successful program to more schools across the country. While we embraced their mission, we also believed they needed to alter their service delivery model to increase access for lower income families. Their funding structure at the time meant that schools with more than 50% of students receiving free or reduced lunch would often lack the resources needed to kick off their association with Playworks.
We encouraged Playworks to develop a new, “train the trainer” model for schools. This program would offer education in play and recess management skills for interested teachers. These educators would then share their new skills with fellow teachers in their individual schools, reducing the need for outside instructional time and resources. This approach was wildly successful, enabling Playworks to expand their programs into schools nationwide. Today, it is their primary model.
