FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Baltimore, MD (October 16, 2015) · KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve filled with play, is investing in the future of kids and families in Baltimore by launching the Play More B’More initiative, designed to engage local youth to revitalize their communities. Highlighted by three volunteer-driven playground builds on October 24, the Play More B’More initiative is engaging hundreds of youth from underserved Baltimore neighborhoods as interns and volunteers to create a kid-friendly city filled with opportunities to play. KaBOOM! and its cross-sector partners are implementing a unique public-private partnership that unites the Baltimore community in a common purpose – putting kids at the center and providing a sense of purpose and a pathway to opportunity for Baltimore youth who are gaining professional skills and experience while giving back to their community. “Baltimore City leadership, the private sector, the philanthropic community, and child serving community organizations are all coming together to address the city’s toughest challenges by prioritizing the needs of kids and families,” said KaBOOM! President James Siegal. “Through the Play More B’More initiative, Baltimore is at the forefront of playability, taking action to make it as easy as possible for all kids, particularly kids growing up in poverty, to get the play they need to thrive. It is a powerful example for other cities to follow.” Play More B’More partners include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore Corps, OneBaltimore, Playworld, along with Baltimore native, NBA star Rudy Gay. The October 24 Play More B’More playground builds will take place at Tench Tilghman School (600 N. Patterson Park Ave.), Gilmor Elementary School (1311 N. Gilmor Street), and LIGHT Health & Wellness (2200 N. Monroe St.) To follow along with updates of the Play More B’More initiative or to register to volunteer visit kaboom.org, and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit dedicated to giving all kids the childhood they deserve filled with play, is investing in the future of kids and families in Baltimore by launching the Play More B’More initiative, designed to engage local youth to revitalize their communities. Highlighted by three volunteer-driven playground builds on October 24, the Play More B’More initiative is engaging hundreds of youth from underserved Baltimore neighborhoods as interns and volunteers to create a kid-friendly city filled with opportunities to play.
KaBOOM! and its cross-sector partners are implementing a unique public-private partnership that unites the Baltimore community in a common purpose – putting kids at the center and providing a sense of purpose and a pathway to opportunity for Baltimore youth who are gaining professional skills and experience while giving back to their community.
“Baltimore City leadership, the private sector, the philanthropic community, and child serving community organizations are all coming together to address the city’s toughest challenges by prioritizing the needs of kids and families,” said KaBOOM! President James Siegal. “Through the Play More B’More initiative, Baltimore is at the forefront of playability, taking action to make it as easy as possible for all kids, particularly kids growing up in poverty, to get the play they need to thrive. It is a powerful example for other cities to follow.”
Play More B’More partners include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore Corps, OneBaltimore, Playworld, along with Baltimore native, NBA star Rudy Gay.
The October 24 Play More B’More playground builds will take place at Tench Tilghman School (600 N. Patterson Park Ave.), Gilmor Elementary School (1311 N. Gilmor Street), and LIGHT Health & Wellness (2200 N. Monroe St.)
To follow along with updates of the Play More B’More initiative or to register to volunteer visit kaboom.org, and join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.
About KABOOM!KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ending playspace inequity – the reality that quality places to play are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. Since 1996, KABOOM! has partnered with kids and communities to create or transform 17,000+ playspaces and ensure that nearly 12 million kids have equitable access to the crucial benefits and opportunities that playspaces offer. In 2022, KABOOM! launched the 25 in 5 Initiative to End Playspace Inequity, the $250 million plan to accelerate its mission in 25 high-priority locations over five years. Learn more at kaboom.org and join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom, facebook.com/kaboom, instagram.com/kaboom and LinkedIn.