We’ve arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This January, we launched a new office and Playworks programs in seven Milwaukee Public Schools, serving 2,500 children. December brought our first full mid-year pre-service for new program coordinators, where coaches from all over the country joined Playworks Milwaukee to learn the power of play. And when students came back to school after the winter break, Playworks was set and ready to get them actively playing and learning new games.  

Led by Executive Director Kristina Olkowski,  the team has hit the ground running. They will be literally running in fact. Playworks Milwaukee is partnering with Wisconsin Marathon and Half Marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the Ragnar Relay Madison-Chicago.

Milwaukee coaches are already sharing great stories of the power of play in their schools. One program coordinator said student leaders, called junior coaches, were bringing dozens of kids into games at recess during their very first week. “As soon as the younger kids came out, one of the junior coaches started jumping up and down, waving her hands and a flood of kids came over to the area of the playground where the game was being played. My jaw literally dropped with excitement.” We can’t wait to hear more of these wonderful stories from Playworks Milwaukee!