Playworks Youth Leaders Celebrate Community at Two-Day Convention over School Break

Playworks Program Manager Stephon kicks off Day 1 with a game of Chi Master.

Lt. Tom from the Fire Investigation Unit demonstrates how Keegan can sniff out fire accelerant.

On February 20 and 21, more than 150 fourth and fifth grade Junior Coaches from Boston, New Bedford, Cambridge, and Waltham gathered for a two-day leadership convention at the Hennigan Community Center in Jamaica Plain. The theme of the event was Community. Students learned about what it means to be part of a community and the importance of giving back.

Our Junior Coaches were joined by a number of representatives from the greater Boston community including Lt. Thomas Murray and Keegan from the Boston Fire Department, BPS Chief of Staff Rob Consalvo, the Martin Richard Foundation, and volunteers from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and New Balance.

Rob Constalvo, BPS Chief of Staff (and BPS graduate & parent), addresses Junior Coaches on Day 2.

The ground outside was covered in snow, but that didn’t stop students from enjoying indoor recess in the Hennigan Community Center gymnasium. Our Playworks AmeriCorps Coaches led recess for students in the morning AND after lunch during each day of the convention.

Throughout the Junior Coach Leadership Convention, students could earn Playworks ‘Community Coins’ for demonstrating our core values of Respect, Inclusion, Healthy Play, and Community. Community Coins could be used as raffle tickets to win prizes like a signed Bruins hockey puck, tickets to the aquarium, or passes to the Museum of Fine Arts.

An MR8 team member shows students how to make felt blankets during service village.

The highlight of the event was a service village led by our friends at the Martin Richard Foundation. Students sorted boxes of clothing donations, made blankets for homeless shelters, assembled school supply bags for students in need, and made signs for their neighborhoods to promote healthy living and recycling.

The Junior Coach Leadership Convention was a true community event filled with play, laughter, and learning. Young leaders from the city of Boston and beyond came together over the school break to make new friends and work together. We’re grateful for our partners like the Letters Foundation and the Boston Police Department Youth Development Fund whose generosity make this convention and our Junior Coach Leadership Program possible. We can’t wait for next year!

Check out highlights on our Facebook album!