In 2004, California Volunteers partnered with Playworks to help improve lives and build healthy communities by placing AmeriCorps members in schools. AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves, gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. Playworks Southern California launched the 2016-2017 school year with its eighth year of preservice for 28 AmeriCorps coordinators, four staff coordinators and ten site coordinators that will directly serve nearly 44,000 kids in 69 elementary schools in Santa Ana, Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, and the Greater Los Angeles area. During the school year, Playworks AmeriCorps members will also have the opportunity to develop large-scale community engagement service projects and recruit first-time volunteers, creating a unique and lasting impact.
Hosted by Mattel, new and returning coaches completed four full days of professional development, enjoyed healthy meals provided by Chef Dillon, attended Mattel’s company picnic, and even spent time community building after hours. At preservice, Playworks alumna Ann Nguyen, a counselor and youth advocate, provided a personal influence training that inspired the Playworks Southern California team to embrace all of their identities and to empower others because every child matters. Preservice closed with incredibly enthusiastic team pods revealed by each of the five program managers and a closing cheer led by Executive Director LaVal Brewer.
Playworks Southern California is extremely excited to continue helping every kid have the chance to bring out the best in themselves through the power of play. Across the nation, Playworks wants to bring the power of play to 7,000 schools and 3.5 million kids by 2020!
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About CaliforniaVolunteers:
CaliforniaVolunteers is the state office that manages programs and initiatives to increase the number of Californians involved with service and volunteering, including the state AmeriCorps program and the management of volunteers and monetary donations during times of disasters. For more information, please visit www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org.
About AmeriCorps:
AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.
