Statement from Playworks on Tragic Passing of Former Playworks Coach Dawnn Jaffier

  1. Updates

Boston, MA, August 25, 2014 – Playworks Massachusetts Executive Director, Max Fripp, issued this statement today concerning the passing of former Playworks Coach Dawnn Jaffier:

The Playworks family deeply mourns the tragic loss of Dawnn Jaffier. Coach Dawnn was a treasured member of the 2011-12 Playworks Massachusetts team, serving in the Hennigan Elementary School in Jamaica Plain. Being with Coach Dawnn at the Hennigan was like being with a rock star! She was so loved by the students, staff and families. Boston’s students, schools and neighborhoods lost an amazing youth worker and we will work tirelessly to honor her legacy.

As Playworks begins the new school year, we will place full-time coaches in 24 Boston Public Schools, and continue our work to create schools where every student feels safe, included and ready to learn. We will dedicate this work to Coach Dawnn, whose tremendous efforts helped so many children to succeed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dawnn’s family at this very sorrowful time.

See Coach Dawnn's Coach Profile

About Playworks

Playworks’ mission is to improve the health and well-being of children and enhance their education by increasing opportunities for safe, meaningful play. Currently in its ninth year in Massachusetts, Playworks is partnering with 28 low-income schools. By placing a full-time program coordinator, or “coach,” in each partner school to deliver its full-day in-and-out-of-school youth development program, Playworks will help transform the way that more than 15,000 students experience the school day.

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