John Hancock Employees Beautify a Playground in Need

  1. Updates

With enthusiasm and support from John Hancock volunteers, Playworks hosted a playground beautification at Dever Elementary School in Dorchester. 

    

Playworks and John Hancock employees got their hands dirty and cleaned up the playground at Dever Elementary School. Over the course of six days, 85 John Hancock volunteers worked together to remove weeds off the blacktop, paint new play spaces, beautify old play areas, construct murals, and create folders for Junior Coaches. This addition of new basketball courts, a football field, four-square courts, relay races, a kickball field, and track will help ensure that all students at Dever Elementary School have the opportunity for safe and healthy play during recess. The school is excited to unveil the new playground at the beginning of the school year and is confident that students will enjoy recess in the renovated space.

Playworks Coach Douglas, who is serving at Dever Elementary School, said, "This bright, colorful new space will help students stay active at recess. Students are going to love the bright colors and new design. I am hopeful that it will give students the opportunity to try new games and meet new friends. I am so grateful to John Hancock for volunteering with Playworks and beautifying the playground at my school. It is going to be a great school year!"

This project will have a meaningful impact on the school and the local community with an overall focus on benefitting the health and well-being of all students at Dever Elementary School.

More Updates


June 9, 2023

Celebrating our Junior Coaches at Junior Coach Graduation ›

On Saturday, June 3, over 85 Junior Coaches and their families gathered at the Lilla G. Frederick School to celebrate a year of hard work and leadership from these 4th and 5th grade student leaders. For many students across Boston, Lawrence, New Bedford, and beyond, being a Junior Coach is their favorite part of the…

students jump-roping
students jump-roping

May 31, 2023

The Significance of Play in Children’s Mental Health ›

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re exploring research around this topic and how play (and Playworks) can make a difference. The urgent need to support children’s mental health  The pandemic increased the loneliness and isolation that people, especially children, were feeling. As children re-entered school buildings, people quickly realized that academic recovery from…

April 7, 2023

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament 2023 ›

Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) is Back and Better Than Ever as Playworks Hosts its First RPS Tournament Since 2018 On April 6th, Playworks hosted Boston area professionals for a night of fun competition with its first Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament event since 2018. More than 60 players contended for the coveted grand prize, a uniquely…