In the last 10 years…
Playworks has impacted a generation of children by bringing the power of play to kids across the country. What began with Founder Jill Vialet’s visit to one principal’s office has grown to serve 200,000 kids through 310 school partnerships, out-of-school providers, and community organizations through on-site services, professional development, and digital support in Illinois. Read more about our history
Help us impact kids for the next 10 years.
Our impact would not be possible without the kids, coaches, school staff, donors, partners, alumni, and communities we’ve worked alongside for 10 years. Each of them have their own inspiring story some of which are featured below. Follow along on social media for more stories all year long.
Here’s a snapshot of our impact.
“Play is critical to achieving [a] seismic shift, and that big changes start small.“
– Jill Vialet
Playworks Founder
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 who have worked with Playworks to identify the 20 small steps that lead to big change.
In this new book Why Play Works, you’ll hear their stories, understand the changes made through play, and learn what you need to know to create a similar impact. The book also covers the intersectionality between play and racial equity, gender equity, science and play theory, and more.
Playworks has been serving Illinois for 10 years, but Playworks has been supporting safe and healthy play across the nation for 25 years.
