Playtime Project featured in the Washington Post today!
 |  In response to the Editorial in the Washington Post last weekend, HCPP Executive Director Jamila Larson wrote about the critical need for homelessness services in the District's budget. Read it here. |
|
Playground In a Box Arrives to
DC General and NCFN!
| |
Thanks to a grant from the Philip L. Graham Fund, DC General and NCFN now have new ways to embrace the sunny weather! These programs now proudly boast an "Imagination Playground in a Box" by Kaboom. Inside each 6 foot box are hundreds of moveable pieces that allow the children to "build their own playground" and create imaginary fun outdoors.
On it's first day at DC General, "Play Associate" volunteers Robin and Zach facilitated it's gleeful unveiling. Children's imaginations ran wild - they used the blocks to build forts to play leapfrog, pretend to be birds and even play baseball.
Watching the kids manipulate pieces and create new games demonstrates just how creative they all are. We can't wait for more great stories from the Imagination Playground!
|
|
"America I Am" Exhibit and Playtime Field Day!
| |
On April 30th, HCPP volunteers took a group of children from three Playtime programs to visit America I Am: The African American Imprint, "celebrating nearly 500 years of African American contributions to the nation through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music." at the National Geographic Museum.
After a delicious lunch, the group explored the exhibit, saw two films, and ask questions of the volunteers.From the slave trade, to Garrett Morgan's invention of the traffic signal, to Jesse Owens' reaction after returning to racism in America after winning four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, to the impact of African customs on religion in America, and so much more.Overall it was a great experience for all and and an opportunity for the children to celebrate the power of their history.
On May 21st, Playtime hosted a "Playtime Field Day" field trip for the children at DC General at a nearby park. Fifteen children played group games with Playworks volunteers and ate delicious homemade sandwiches in the park. What a way to kick off summer and give kids a break from the shelter hallways!
|
 Welcome New Site Coordinators: Robin Ngo, Mary Chrom, Heather Casciato, and Megan Fletcher!
Welcome to our new undergrad summer interns Julsey and Danny, and goodbye and thank you to Alagra, our wonderful spring right-hand woman!
Jamila and Lana www.playtimeproject.net |
|
|
HCPP Board of Directors
|
Kirsten LodalLIFT Patricia Mullahy-FugereWashington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Robert EdwardsXM Radio: The Bob Edwards Show
David Graling
Gelman Rosenberg
& Freedman
Advisory Board
Regina Kline
Co-Founder, HCPP
Attorney
Executive Director
Jamila Larson, LICSW Co-Founder, HCPP
|
|  | Give the Gift of Play!
Donate Here!
|
INTRODUCING...
Playtime's Volunteer Blog!
A great resource for you to better serve our children
| | |
Do you ever:
- Think about that two-year-old who isn't speaking yet and where to refer them?
- Want to know how to play with a child to help them build specific skills?
- Want to bring a snack to playtime but can't think of anything healthy besides carrots?
- Want to plan a special activity, but don't have time to do the research?
Our volunteer blog is here to help!
- Developmental Milestones
- Lots of Activities
- Snack Ideas
- Research and Resources
- DCPS Educational Standards
- Referral Partners
We hope volunteers can use it for your important work each week- and please send any resources you'd like to see added as it continues to grow!
Thank you to volunteer Danielle Rothman for her hard work developing this amazing resource!
 |
|
Advocacy Update: Homeless Services Restored!
| |
A huge thank you to Playtime Project volunteers who wrote letters, called, and met with City Council members this month to help them understand the importance of restoring cuts to homeless services and affordable housing for families.
These potential cuts were not on leader's radar and your voices helped make the difference, so that yesterday the Council voted to put $23.4 million for homeless services back in the budget!
HCPP Board Member & Executive Director of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, Patty Mullahy Fugere, said: "In my 20 years here at the Legal Clinic, I don't think I've ever heard so many council members express concern about maintaining a safety net for our low-income and homeless neighbors. It was a very welcome change."
We celebrate this win for families and encourage you to learn more as the analysis is complete in the days ahead. See the Post
or visit www.dcfpi.org for more!
| |
|
|
Want to help? We are looking for:
| |
1. Somebody to translate our outreach documents into Spanish!
2. Volunteers to join our Fundraising Committee to help us plan our annual bash in October!
3. Office or school groups to "Adopt a Playroom" to spruce up our well-loved spaces
If you are interested in any of these requests, email lana.hcpp@gmail.com
Thank you!
|
|
Welcome Carrie!
| | |
We are thrilled to have Carrie Beaudreau join Playtime's mighty team as the part-time Development Associate! After graduating from Georgetown Law School, Carrie worked for several years as an assistant public defender in Baltimore. Recently, she has taken a leadership role in her community to fundraise and advocate for improvements at her neighborhood parks and recreation centers. Carrie is excited about combining her commitment to serving children and youth with her fundraising experience, and we are so pleased to welcome her to HCPP!
|
|
|
