Playworks history

Playworks launches first community training initiative, training adults so more kids can play every day (2003)

In 2004, Playworks was awarded its first AmeriCorps contract.

Since 2004, the organization has recruited recess coaches from AmeriCorps.

Vialet was elected into the Ashoka fellowship in 2004 for her social entrepreneurial work with Playworks.

Playworks awarded $4.4 million expansion grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2005)

Playworks opens Silicon Valley operations (2006)

The Open Society Institute in Baltimore documents Playworks’ effectiveness in reducing suspension rates (2007)

Harvard Family Research Project finds that Playworks improves students’ focus and participation in class (2007)

In 2007, Ashoka Changemakers honored Playworks as a winner of its “Sports for a Better World” competition.

Playworks is recognized as a top “Changemaker” by Ashoka and Nike (2008)

Playworks hosts Play On, the first-ever national conference on play, in San Francisco (2009)

Playworks, formerly Sports4Kids, announces its new name (2009)

Playworks partners with the National Head Start Association and Nike to provide training and technical service (2009)

In 2009, Vialet and Playworks were selected as a member of the Clinton Global Initiative.

Playworks launches district-wide program to train campus security assistants in Stockton, CA (2010)

Playworks invited to become part of First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative (2010)

ABC Nightline features Playworks during Recess Roll-Out week in Little Rock (2010)

Jill Vialet honored as a social innovator at the Clinton Global Initiative (2010)

In 2011, chief strategy officer, Elizabeth Cushing, was named president and chief operating officer.

Playworks pilots TeamUp, a new service providing an on-site coordinator to teach, model, and empower a sustainable recess program (2014)

Jill Vialet, Playworks CEO and founder, speaks at TEDMED about the importance of play (2014)

Following a successful pilot, Playworks TeamUp expands to serve schools across the country (2015)

Playworks Arizona sets a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest game of red light, green light (2015)

Playworks celebrates 20 years of bringing healthy, safe, and inclusive play to children nationwide (2016)

Playworks receives grants totaling $26 million in support of Playworks AIM and its efforts to expand nationwide (2016)

First Lady Michelle Obama sends out a special message to Playworks and Super Bowl 50 fans about the importance of active play during the opening of Super Bowl City (2016)

Playworks founder Jill Vialet releases Playworks School Reopening Workbook, a free resource and workbook aiming to bring a bit of ease to this transition. (2020)