Playworks Wisconsin received a $2,500 grant from the Elm Grove Junior Guild this week to improve the health and well-being of children by providing safe, and meaningful opportunities for physical activity.
“We are honored to receive a grant from this society of women who are so committed to both the physical and emotional wellness of children in and around our community,” said Kristina Olkowski, Playworks Wisconsin executive director.
Funds will assist Playworks Wisconsin in continuing to provide school-based programming that reduces bullying, provides more time for classroom teaching, improves feelings of safety and increases physical activity for nearly 6,000 elementary students at 12 low-income Milwaukee Public Schools.
Playworks is currently the only nonprofit in the country to leverage recess as a transformational tool for educators and children. Playworks delivers developmentally-appropriate prevention and early intervention programming to K-5th grade children at low-income schools. Students are taught conflict resolution skills, teamwork and empathy—on the playground, in the classroom, before and after school, and at sports leagues by well-trained, full-time program coordinators, called “coaches.”