About Playworks Pacific Northwest

All kids deserve the social, emotional, and physical benefits of play. We help schools and youth programs create healthy play environments where every child can join in.

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Meet Playworks Pacific Northwest


Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Pacific Northwest in 2009. Playworks Pacific Northwest serves low-income schools across the Portland metro area through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Pacific Northwest through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.

Meet our Service Partners

Learn about our Impact

Read the Playworks Equity Statement

Our Mission


Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Our Vision


Playworks’ vision is that one day every child in America will have access to safe, fun, healthy play every day.

Our Core Values

core values graphic

Meet Our People


September 5, 2023

Nicole Navlet ›

Nicole was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington but found her home in Portland five years ago. She has always been passionate about youth development and engaging young people in…

July 12, 2023

Samuel Sorscher ›

Sam was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and moved to Portland to attend Lewis & Clark College. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Hispanic Studies. It was…

September 9, 2022

Cali Hodge ›

Born and raised in Portland, Cali first started with Playworks in 2018 as an AmeriCorps Coach at Longfellow Elementary in San Francisco. After returning to the Pacific Northwest, Cali continued…

Join the Team


We’re hiring! Join us on the playground or behind the scenes.

Open positions