About Playworks Southern California

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 Southern California


Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Southern California in 2009. Playworks Southern California serves low-income schools through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Southern California 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


Rebecca PM
Rebecca PM

August 12, 2022

Rebecca Reese ›

Rebecca joins Playworks as a Program Manager with over nine years of nonprofit experience in health education and improving outcomes for children and their families. After moving from Portland, Oregon…

August 1, 2022

William Phillips ›

William “Coach Sinatra” Phillips joined the Playworks team in August 2016 as an Americorps member. He began his journey bringing safe and healthy play to a variety of schools in…

headshot of John
headshot of John

October 24, 2024

John Schilder ›

John joined Playworks in October 2024 as the Development Director for California. A product of Central Ohio, John brings over 15 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience with a…

Join the Team


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

Open positions