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Although the pandemic has separated us in physical proximity, it’s brought us closer together in our mission and vision of continuing to work together while looking at things in new ways. The pandemic pressed us to be even more creative, even more adaptable, and evermore present with our kids and our colleagues as we confronted new and intense challenges.

News

New York, New York: Play At The Core has been selected to lead a workshop at the 2021 Annual PASE Conference on July 29, 2021. The team proposed a workshop focused on the potential impact of applying best practices in youth development programs to the organizational systems and work environments of youth-serving professionals. Workshop participants will reflect on what makes their youth program uniquely powerful in its engagement with youth, explore the value of expanding those strengths to organization’s internal professional.environments, and experience a dynamic meaning-making exercise to uncover opportunities for professional growth. In short, the workshop will lead attendees...

July 15, 2021

As we mark the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd and I reflect on Play At The Core’s work, I feel grateful for the change efforts we have been able to make and also more motivated than ever to promote healing and equity in the field of child and youth development.

June 1, 2021

Our wonderful social work intern from NYU, Olivia Saleh, wrote the following final reflection about her experience and journey with Play At The Core. It was an honor and a joy to have her be a part of our team and we cannot wait to see her carve out her social work path and continue to work in partnership with communities.

May 13, 2021

Over the coming months, we’re updating our web presence to include more resources and ways to interact. Thanks for your patience!

March 28, 2018

Resources for Practitioners

Dear Community Members, Oluwatoyin Salau. Ronald Peters. Angie Zapata. Latisha King. Sakia Gunn. Nireah Johnson. Matthew Shepard. And so many more. For too long we’ve lived within a system that perpetuates institutional and direct violence against LGBTQ+ people. Across the country, people of conscience are saying “Enough is Enough” in our grief and in our rage. While the recent Supreme Court’s landmark LGBTQ+ ruling is a significant and momentous victory, Play At The Core recognizes there is much more work to be done. As NYC Pride turns 50 this year, we at Play At The Core join millions of Americans...

June 26, 2020

Dear Play At The Core Community Members, Play At The Core stands in solidarity with Black people as they grieve and express outrage at the killing of George Floyd, and the unending violence born out of systemic racism against communities of color in our country.  As the leader of this organization, and particularly as a white man, I have a responsibility beyond simply stating this fact. I have a responsibility to listen, to learn, and to act. Play At The Core’s mission to “help youth thrive by inspiring change through play” is rooted in the practice of social work. My...

June 5, 2020

Over the past few months, educators, caregivers, and youth development practitioners have moved mountains to transition programming to remote platforms. They have been on the frontlines, bravely embracing the new challenges, always with the best interest of their youth in mind. Now, as many states around the country announce their plans for re-opening, our attention turns towards the future of programming. Play At The Core (PATC) is well-positioned to support these transitions as practitioners face unfamiliar territory in building relationships and create engaging program offerings remotely, in addition to supporting children and program teams through the unique grief and trauma...

May 29, 2020

Last week Play At The Core hosted the third “Community Huddle,” which focused on the theme of building relationships with youth, even when we can’t be in the same physical spaces. Youth development leaders from diverse programs around the world discussed what is “at the core” of how they’ve always built connections with youth in their programs, and how they are adapting these strategies today. From the conversations, and the activities, experiences, and behaviors that were shared, five key themes emerged that underscore how youth development practitioners are building on their previous work to strengthen relationships amidst these new challenges: ...

May 12, 2020

During these unprecedented times, making time for play has the potential to build new skills, offer support, and build connections all while having fun. Play At The Core will kick off a new series of virtual “Playbreaks,” designed for adults and children alike, every Friday at 3pm. Join us this week for a “Family Feud” themed game! – email info@playatthecore.com to sign up! If you’re interested in learning more about our work, visit us at playatthecore.com. For information about partnering or joining our team, please drop us a line!

May 6, 2020

On Wednesday, April 15th, over 40 youth development professionals from around the world gathered on Zoom to discuss the challenges they are facing as a result of COVID-19, and the support systems that are helping them through. After playing a virtual activity to reflect on support strategies together, attendees broke into smaller groups and shared openly about the pains, frustrations, and joys they and their communities are experiencing. Key themes began to emerge in the obstacles most commonly being tackled by those in the Huddle. These included:  1) difficulty in providing needed emotional support; 2) ensuring access to needed resources, and 3)...

April 29, 2020

Play At The Core will be leading a presentation in this year’s InterAct CLASS Summit, taking place April 20-21. The summit, which is an annual gathering of educational leaders, will focus on “supporting great teaching through the power of interactions.” With the transition to a virtual conference, InterAct has also gathered diverse speakers from all areas of the education sector, from representatives from the Department of Education to Directors of Nonprofits.  PATC’s presentation will be led by Play At The Core leaders, Jared Carroll and Hewette Moore, and is an interactive webinar that will be offered as a workshop for...

April 17, 2020

In one short month, COVID-19 has changed every aspect of our lives. Many of us are struggling to wrap our heads around what is happening in the world and how to adapt. And while we are amidst so much change and uncertainty, one thing we can count on is community. Why supporting youth development professionals right now is critical Play At the Core (PATC) is stepping up to provide a supportive space for youth development leaders, practitioners, and caregivers. These individuals are on the front lines, providing critical support to the children and communities that have been hit hardest by...

April 13, 2020

A note from our founders and the Play At The Core team. If you’re interested in learning more about our work, visit us at playatthecore.com. For information about partnering or joining our team, please drop us a line!

March 15, 2020

Over the past several years, we’ve heard youth professionals express frustration over the behaviors of children that are facing significant challenges (both inside and outside their program). They lament how much of their attention this draws. In response, many of our partners have requested that Play At The Core facilitate experiential learning workshops with their teams that draw a link between quality relationships and quality youth programs.  These discussions are tough, because we acknowledge that teachers face serious pressure within their schools, organizations, and districts that make it hard to prioritize connections with their kids. When it comes to having...

September 23, 2019