Impact Report

Update from the Executive Director

Hello Play Partner,

My name is Georgia Harris, and I am the executive director of Playworks Arizona. I am sending you a giant THANK YOU for your support over the past year.

Your commitment to Playworks has enriched the lives of over 400,000 Arizona children since 2011. What an impact you have made. We hope you choose to continue on the journey with us in 2025.

High five!

This year we served

21,140

Students

409

Youth Leaders

54

Partners

40.94% Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible Students

“Playworks has helped students develop skills that ensure students are being fair, and communicating during disagreements. It has built positive relationships with students and most importantly all students feel included.”

– Classroom Teacher

According to our Annual Survey,

% of educators agree that Playworks helps…

increase the number of students that are physically active

96%

students develop the skills to succeed in their learning community

98%

improve the school climate

95%

create an environment of belonging

99%

reduction in the number of disciplinary incidents

90%

create opportunities for inclusion of diverse groups of students

99%

Local spotlight

Abril Ramirez is a Recess Team Member at Creighton Academy, one of Playworks Arizona’s PairUp partners from the 2023-2024 school year.

Abril worked with Coach Jessyca, a Program Specialist, who went to her schools two days per month to consult, develop, and train her and other Recess Team members on creating a safe and healthy recess environment.

Coach Jessyca taught games, helped to organize the playground, and established practices for before and after recess to help students make a smooth transition back to the classroom.

adult leading games

Coach Jessyca also helped the Creighton Academy Recess Team implement a Junior Coach program for 4th and 5th grade students. Junior Coaches help to manage 1st – 3rd grade recess by leading games for their younger peers, modeling sportsmanship, and teaching conflict resolution skills.

Abril said,

“Before Playworks, our recess did not have a structure and I felt I did not have any control. But now with the resources and guidance from Coach Jessyca, I am more confident and recess is more organized. Having our Junior Coaches helped me engage students to play games Coach Jessyca taught us. With Playworks, recess has become a fun and safe environment.”

In case you missed it…

This year, 13 Junior Coaches from Capitol Elementary School (Phoenix Elementary School District #1) took their social studies standards out of the classroom and into the halls of the Capitol with a tour of the State House and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talk with legislators about what being an emerging leader at their school means to them.