playworks
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/05/chicago2.0_600x400_0-402x240.png)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/05/chicago2.0_600x400_0-402x240.png)
May 25, 2017
Healthy Chicago 2.0 and Playworks deepen impact in schools ›
Healthy Chicago 2.0, launched by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Public Health, serves as the start of a new movement dedicated to making Chicago a connected, vibrant, and healthy city…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/02/CoachShay_220x220_1.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/02/CoachShay_220x220_1.jpg)
February 22, 2017
Celebrating AmeriCorps Week with Coach Shay ›
Playworks Illinois is celebrating AmeriCorps week by highlighting one of our AmeriCorps Coaches, Shamerea Richards. Coach Shay is a first-year coach serving at James N. Thorp Elementary School in Chicago,…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/11/IL_Jill_feature.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/11/IL_Jill_feature.jpg)
November 10, 2016
Founder of Playworks, Jill Vialet, Q&A on Chicago Woman ›
It was in 1996 that Jill Vialet founded Playworks, a national nonprofit providing elementary schools and youth organizations around the country with fun and safe activities. Read the full interview…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/08/GettyImages_220x220.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/08/GettyImages_220x220.jpg)
August 9, 2016
How Play Fits Into Social and Emotional Learning ›
photo by GettyImages Why are we so quick to dismiss play as a force for learning? As Playworks CEO and founder Jill Vialet notes, "Consider something as simple as a…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/06/illinoissparkstart4_250x250-250x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/06/illinoissparkstart4_250x250-250x240.jpg)
June 23, 2016
Fitness With A Spark ›
Playworks has teamed up with New Balance to offer the SparkStart Fitness Challenge across the nation. See how New Balance, MLB athletes, and Playworks are getting kids in the game!…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/06/Switch_220x220.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/06/Switch_220x220.jpg)
June 7, 2016
Keeping kids healthy and active this summer is easier (and more fun) than you think ›
While summer time is the perfect time for kids to get outside and play, there are plenty of distractions around to keep them from getting good exercise such as the…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/03/220x220_Coach_Mollie_Illinois.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/03/220x220_Coach_Mollie_Illinois.jpg)
March 3, 2016
Playworks Celebrates AmeriCorps Week. Meet Coach Mollie. ›
Playworks Illinois is celebrating AmeriCorps week by highlighting one of our AmeriCorps coaches, Mollie Strawn. Coach Mollie is a first year coach. Here is what she had to say about…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/02/IL_Marathon_feature.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/02/IL_Marathon_feature.jpg)
February 4, 2016
Join our Chicago Marathon Team! ›
Playworks is thrilled to be an official charity of the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Over the past four years our runners have generously raised funds to support…
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/02/2017-gig-2_600x401-402x240.jpg)
![](https://www.playworks.org/illinois/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/02/2017-gig-2_600x401-402x240.jpg)
February 4, 2016
Want to Make a Difference? Join Our Playmakers Board! ›
The Playmakers Board supports the overall mission and programs of Playworks Illinois. The Playmakers Board membership is comprised of professionals in the Chicago area community who are seeking philanthropic experience…