Playworks Michigan

Mission: To improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Founded in 1996, Playworks expanded to Michigan in 2010. Playworks Michigan serves low-income schools across Detroit through our year-round, on-site support services. We’re also reaching thousands more students across Michigan through professional development workshops for schools and youth organizations.

We build a culture of play that enables kids to feel a real sense of belonging. Partnering with teachers, principals, and parents, we make sure kids have the opportunity to contribute on the playground, in the classroom, and in our community. A randomized control trial found that compared to students at similar schools, Playworks students were more physically active and teachers reported that students had greater feelings of school safety and less bullying behavior.