Playworks AmeriCorps Members Are Happy to Serve

AmeriCorps members from five different Playworks regions submitted videos celebrating service in their community.

During the 2013-2014 school year, Playworks is partnering with five different state AmeriCorps commissions to bring powerful opportunities for play to schools and communities. We partner with Serve DC, PennSERVEU Serve Utah, North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, and CaliforniaVolunteers (in both our Northern and Southern California regions). As a part of Playworks AmeriCorps Week, members from each of our six different Playworks regions submitted videos of cheers or songs celebrating service in their community. The submissions were then judged by members of our national program team and a first prize winner and runner up were awarded.

The runner up goes to… Playworks in Philadelphia:

And first prize goes to Playworks in Southern California for their very own rendition of Pharrell Williams' Happy:

More Stories of Play


Mr. Watkins standing outside school
Mr. Watkins standing outside school

Mr. Watkins Transforms Leadership Style ›

Assistant Principal Amere Watkins came to his role with experience working with older students, where he relied on traditional discipline methods. Transitioning to an elementary setting presented new challenges, especially…

Tyliyah Becomes a Team Player ›

When Tyliyah started the school year, her teacher noticed she often self-isolated and struggled to work in groups. Coach Isaiah, along with her teacher Ms. White, saw her potential and…

Ms. Pfeifer with students
Ms. Pfeifer with students

Ms. Pfeifer Builds Connections Through Play ›

Ms. Pfeifer, a new teacher with a background in school counseling, brought a deep commitment to social-emotional learning to her classroom. Through her partnership with Coach Isaiah, she embraced the…

Ms. White playing at recess
Ms. White playing at recess

Ms. White Becomes Play Advocate ›

Initially, Ms. White was unsure about how play could enhance her teaching. She was focused on strengthening her student’s academic skills in the classroom and viewed recess as a “break”…