Playworks Arizona

Playworks' mission is to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. We are the leading nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children's social skills and life-long health and well-being. With your support, kids in Arizona will experience safe, fun, and healthy play in school and in our community.

Our commitment in Arizona is to reach 40,000 kids in 44 elementary schools and community-based organizations with a variety of programs fit to their community's needs.

One of our most beneficial programs is our Junior Coach Leadership program, currently in place at 99% of the schools we serve this year.

Junior Coaches are:
- Fourth and fifth grade students
- Young leaders on the playground
- Organizing games
- Playing Rock, Paper, Scissors to solve conflicts
- Helping their peers line-up
- Making sure every kid gets to play at recess

Testimonials

"One of my old students is now a Junior Coach. He had some issues when he was with me in first grade. Being a Junior Coach has brought him out of his shell and taught him responsibility and leadership that seems to have made a big positive impact on him."
- Grant Rose, Heard Elementary

"We love the way that Playworks has helped transform recess. The structure of games, the problem solving strategies of Ro-Sham-Bo and the Junior Coaches have reduced conflicts during recess making students happier and instructional time more productive. Thanks Playworks!"
- Stephanie Young, Yick Wo Elementary